UC-NRLF 


035    b3T 


mm 


^^  \C,y2.  DZPT. 


OFFICIAL   REPORT 


OF   THE 


Second  International 


COTTON  CONGRESS 


HELD 


June  5th  to  gth,  1905 
MANCHESTER  and  LIVERPOOL 


[Issued  under  the  Direction  of  the  International  Committee 
appointed  by  the  congress.] 


MANCHESTER : 
Printed  by  Thiel  &  Tangye.  106,  Princess  Street 


OFFICIAL     REPORT 

OF    THE    Proceedings    of 

THE    SECOND 

International  Congress 

OF  Delf.gated  Representatives  of 

Master  Cotton   Spinners' 

AND 

MANUFACTURERS'     ASSOCIATIONS 


HELD     IN     THE 


TOWN    HALL,    MANCHESTER, 

ON 

JUNE  5th,  6th,  7th  and  9th,  1905, 

(By  invitation  of 

The  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Manchester  and  the  Corporation  of 

The  City  of  Manchester). 


AND    IN    THI>, 

TOWN    HALL,    LIVERPbOL, 

ON  JUNE  8th, 

{By  invitation  of  The  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Liverpool  and 
The  Corporation  of  the  City  of  Liverpool). 


[Issued  under  the  DirI'Xtion'  of  the  International 
Committee  appointed  i'.y  the  Congress.] 


INDEX. 


Preface 

International  Committee 

List  of  Representatives        

Opening  Meeting  

President's  Address    ... 

Committee's  Report 

Constitution  and  Rules 
Second  Day's  Proceedings     ... 

Organisation  Work 

The  Handling  of  Cotton 

The  Levy... 

The  Purchase  of  Cotton 
Third  Day's  Proceedings 

Damp  in   Cotton... 
Fourth  Day's  Proceedings    ... 

The  Metric  System  of  Weights  and  Measures 
Fifth  Day's  Proceedings 

Cotton -Growing 

The  Next  Congress     

Resolutions         ...         

Vote  of  Thanks 

Programme 

Reception  Committee  ... 

Social  Committee 

Appendix  : 

The  Metric  System.     (Paper  by  Mr.  S.  S.  Dale 

Statutes  


PAGE 

4 
5 
6 
9 
10 
17 
19 
23 
25 
30 
33 
35 
43 
43 
59 
60 
89 
89 

115 

116 

117 

119 

121 

122 

125 
135 


272172 


In  presenting  the  Report  of  the  Second  International  Congress 
of  delegated  representatives  of  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  and  Manu- 
facturers' Associations,  which  was  held  in  Manchester  and  Liverpool 
from  June  5th  to  9th,  the  International  Committee  has  much 
pleasure  in  stating  that  the  Organisation  has  now  been  placed  on 
a  sound  and  satisfactory  basis. 

Regulations  and  Bye-laws  providing  for  the  efficient  working 
of  the  International  Federation  were  unanimously  adopted  at  the 
Congress,  and  a  Secretary,  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  three 
ofificial  languages,  and  who  will  devote  the  whole  of  his  time  to  the 
work  of  the  International  Federation,  was  appointed. 

Steps  are  being  taken  to  complete  the  affiliation  with  the  Inter- 
national Federation,  of  the  Associations  in  all  Cotton  Spinning  and 
Manufacturing  countries,  and  it  is  hoped  that  the  few  now  un- 
connected with  it  will  speedily  declare  their  adhesion,  the  interests 
of  Cotton  Spinners  and  Manufacturers,  in  all  countries,  with  regard 
to  the  supply  of  the  raw  material  and  in  connection  with  many  other 
matters  being  identical. 

The  International  Committee  will  spare  no  efforts  in  their 
endeavour  to  safeguard  the  interests  of  the  Cotton  Industry  of  the 
world. 


INTERNATIONAL    COIVIIVIITTEE. 

X905-6. 


C.  W.  MACARA  (England),  Chairman. 
JOHN  SYZ  (Switzerland),  Vice-Chairman. 

CASIMIR  BERGER  (France)     | 

-   Hon.  Treasurers. 
FERD.  GROSS  (Germany)  J 

A.  KUFFLER  (Austria). 

JEAN  DE  HEMPTINNE  (Belgium). 

HENRY  HIGSON  (England). 

Baron  COSTANZO  CAN  TON  I  (Italy). 

H.  P.  TAVEIRA  (Portugal). 

E.  CALVET  (Spain). 

Hon.  Secretary: 

JOHN    SMETHURST,    Manchester. 

Secretary : 

ARNO  SCHMIDT. 

Private  Secretary  to  the   Chairman: 

CHAS.    DAVIDSON. 

Auditors : 

DAVID    SMITH,    GARNETT  &    CO., 
Chartered  Accountants,  22,  Booth    Street,  Manchester. 

Bankers : 

THE   LANCASHIRE   &   YORKSHIRE    BANK    LTD.,    Manchester. 

Offices :  22,  St.  Mary's  Gate,  Manchester. 
Telegraphic  Address:   "Invite,"  Manchester.     Nat.  Telephone:  4247. 


List  of  Delegated  H^P^^^sentatiVes. 

Association  Cotonni^re  de  Belgique. 

Charles  de  Hemptinne  Omer  Vanham 

Jean  de  Hemptinne,  President  Maurice  de  Smet  de  Noeyer 

Jean  Voortman 

Association  Beige  de  Tissage. 

Ferdinand    de    Smet    de    Noeyer 

Associa^ao  Industrial  Portugueza. 

H.  P.  Taveira,  President 

Associa9ao  Industrial  Portuense. 

Luiz  F.  d'Oliveira  Honore  Vavasseur 

Associazione  tra  gli  Industriali  Cotonieri  e  Borsa  Cotoni. 

Baron  Costanzo  Cantoni,  President 

Bolton  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Association. 

John  Charnock  A.  E.  Rahr. 

A.  Hill,  Secretary  James  Thorp 

Robert  Lord  Wm.  Wallwork 

British  Cotton  Growing  Association. 

J.  C.  Atkins,  Secretary  J.  A.  Hutton,  Vice-Chairman 

J.  E.  Newton,  Chairman 

Association  Cotonni&re  Coloniale,   Paris. 

Casimir  Berger 

Chorley  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Association. 

Ald.  James  Lawrence.  Samuel  Widdows. 

Kolonial-Wirtschaftliches  Komitee  (Berlin). 

KOMMERZIENRAT    FeRD.    GrOSS 

Elsassisches  Industrielles  Syndicat. 

Rene  Kullmann  Arnold  Seyrig 


LIST    OF    REPRESENTATIVES.  7 

The  Federation  of  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Associations. 

J.  R.  Byrom  C.  W.  Macara,  President 

|.  T.  Dawson  S.  Newton 

A.  Dearnaley  J.  Smethurst,  Secretary 

J.  Derbyshire  E.  Stansfield 

F.  Hardern  J.  B.  Tattkrsall,  Vice-President 

T.  Henthorn  J.  M.  Thomas 

H.  \V.  Macalister  E.  Travis 

Fomento  del  Trabajo  Nacional  (Barcelona). 

Joaquin  Aquilera  Eduardo  Calvet 

EusEBio  Bertrand  Jose  Espona 

RoMULO  Bosch  y  Alsina  Juan  Ribas 

Nederlandsche  Cotton = Growing  Association. 

R.  A.  DE   Monchy,   Jr.,    Secretary. 

North  and  North  East  Lancashire  Cotton  Spinners'  and 
Manufacturers'  Association. 

A.  BiRTwisTLE  T.  Roberts 

F.  A.  Hargreaves,   Secretary         J.  R.  Smith 
H.  HiGSON,  President  J.  Taylor,  Secretary 

Schweizerischer  5pinner=,  Zwirner=  und  Weber=Verein. 

Caspar  Jenny  Ernst  Lang 

John  Syz,  President 

Syndicat  Frangais  de  la  Filature  de  Coton  et  du  Tissage  de  Coton. 

Syndicat  Normand  de  la  Filature  de  Coton : 

C.  Berger  Eug.  Lavoisier  Alex.  Mabire 

Syndicat  Normand  du  Tissage  de  Coton : 

Ferd.  Roy  —  Gailliard 

Syndicat  Cotonnter  de  BoIbec-^Lillebonne: 

G.  Lemaitre         M.  Lemaitre 

Comite  Fran^ais  de  la  Filature  de  Coton  (Qroupe  du  Nord) : 

Julien  le  Blan  G.  Duvilliers  Alb.  Motte 

Ferd.  Motte 

Syndicat  des  Filateurs  et  Retordeurs  de  Coton  de  Lille: 

Albert  Dklesalle  Georges  Crepy 


8  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS. 

Union  de  Tlndustrie  Cotonniere  de  Roanne,  Thizy  et  la  region: 

S.  Faisant  Victor  Dechelette  Justin  Veillas 

Verband  Rheinisch-Westphalischer  Baumwollspinner. 

M.  Brugei.mann  C.  O.  Langex,  President         Georg  Schwartz. 

Verein  der  Baumwoll=5pinner  Oesterreichs. 

Charles  Beckmann  Arthur  Kuffler,  President 

Eduard  Borckenstein  Isidore  Mautker 

NORBERT    HaMMERLE  HuGO    MoLLER 

RoDOLPHE  Heinzen  Hermann  VON  Seutter 

Verein  der  Baumwoll- Weber  Oesterreichs. 

Andre  Gassner  Dr.  P/vul  Hellmann 

Kommerzialrat  Ludwig   Stross 

Vereinigung  Sachsischer  5pinnereibesitzer. 

Geh.  Kommerzienrat  Vogel 

Verein  Siiddeutscher  BaumwolUlndustrieller. 

A.  Arnold  Karl  Holzhey 

Oscar  von  Bippen  Carl  Jordan 

Albert  ten  Brink  Rich.  Kraner 

Harry  Duewell  C.  Kopp 

August  Frommel  Otto  Tessmann 

Kommerzienrat  Ferd,  Gross,  President  Adolf  Waibel 

New  England  Cotton  Manufacturers'  Association  (America). 

Represented  by  Samuel  S.  Dale 


Interpreter :     F.    Prellrerg 

Chief  Official  Reporter:    W.    A,    Balmforth 

French  Reporter:    C.     E.     Roche 

German    Reporter:    Frank    Wagner 


OFFICIAL    REPORT 

Of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Second  International  Congress 
OF  delegated  Representatives  of  Master  Cotton  Spinners" 
AND  Manufacturers'  Associations  held  in  Manchester,  on 
June  5th,  6th,  7th,  and  9th,  and  in  Liverpool  on  June  8th, 
1905. 
The  proceedings  began  in  the  Lord  Mayor's  Parlour,  Manchester 

Town  Hall,  on  Monday,  June  5th. 

The  Lord  Mayor  of  Manchester  (The  Right  Honourable 
T.  Thornhill  Shann)  accorded  to  the  Delegates  a  very  hearty  welcome 
to  the  City  of  Manchester,  and  expressed  the  hope  that  the  deliberations 
of  the  Congress  would  be  highly  beneficial  to  the  cotton  industry ;  and 
in  view  of  the  prominence  of  that  industry  in  the  world's  commercial 
relations,  would  also  help  materially  in  promoting  peace  and  goodwill 
amongst  the  people  of  all  nations. 

Mr.  A.  H.  Dixon,  acting  for  Mr.  E.  Tootal  Broadhurst,  Chairman 
of  the  Reception  Committee,  who  was  unable  to  be  present  owing  to 
illness,  introduced  the  President,  Mr.  C.  W.  Macara,  to  the  Lord 
Mayor,  and  in  doing  so  expressed,  on  behalf  of  that  Committee,  the 
great  pleasure  they  all  felt  in  bidding  a  cordial  welcome  to  the  Dele- 
gates, especially  to  those  who  had  come  from  the  Continent. 

Mr.  C.  W.  Macara  then  presented  the  members  of  the  Inter- 
national Committee  to  the  Lord  Mayor. 

On  taking  his  seat  as  President  of  the  Congress,  Mr.  Macara  said 
he  was  sure  everyone  present  felt  deeply  grateful  to  the  Chief  Magis- 
trate of  that  great  municipality  for  the  cordial  welcome  extended 
to  the  Delegates  assembled  to  take  part  in  the  Second  International 
Congress. 

He  then  referred  to  the  negotiations  which  led  to  the  acceptance 
by  the  International  Committee  of  the  Lord  Mayor's  offer  to  arrange 
for  the  Congress  in  Manchester ;  and  proceeded :  Before  we  begin 
the  work  of  the  Congress  I  must  refer  to  the  great  loss  sustained  by 
the  International  Federation  in  the  death  of  M.  Georges  Motte, 
President  of  the  French  Cotton  Spinners'  Federation.     M.  Motte  took 

B 


10  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

a  leading  part  in  the  first  Congress  in  Zurich,  and  made  a  lasting  im- 
pression upon  all  those  with  whom  he  then  came  in  contact.  I  have 
also  to  refer  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Samuel  Smethurst,  who  was  also 
present  at  our  first  Congress.  Mr.  Smethurst  was  most  highly  esteemed 
by  employers  and  operatives  in  the  cotton  trade  of  Lancashire,  and 
we  shall  miss  him  very  keenly  at  this  Congress. 

The  International  movement  has  grown  since  we  last  met,  and 
Spain  is  now  added  to  the  number  of  countries  originally  represented. 
I  shall  ask  Senor  Calvet,  the  Spanish  representative,  to  address  you 
shortly.  We  have  also  present  a  gentleman  from  the  Netherlands,  and 
we  shall  have  a  representative  from  America.  The  visit  of  these  two 
gentlemen  will,  I  hope,  result  in  the  two  great  Federations  in  the 
United  States  of  America  and  the  Associations  in  the  Netherlands 
becoming  affiliated  to  the  International  Cotton  Federation. 

With  your  permission  I  will  now  read  the  address  which,  as 
President,  I  have  prepared  for  this  opening  meeting : — 

The  recent  crisis  in  the  cotton  industry  brought  about  by  the 
shortage  of  raw  material  and  the  consequent  excessive  speculation,  has 
been  productive  of  results  which  probably  will  have  a  most  important 
bearing  upon  the  future  of  the  industry  as  a  whole. 

Much  information  regarding  this  great  industry  has  been  widely 
disseminated,  but  notwithstanding  this  there  is  still  a  certain  amount 
of  misapprehension  with  regard  to  the  ever-changing  conditions  under 
which  it  is  carried  on. 

Those  who  have  followed  closely  the  working  of  the  industry  as  a 
whole  are  more  and  more  convinced  that  while  individual  employers 
may  continue,  as  in  the  past,  to  regulate  the  details  in  connection  with 
the  management  of  their  own  businesses,  there  are  now  forces  at  work 
which  have  to  be  reckoned  with,  and  which  can  only  be  dealt  with 
successfully  by  associations  of  employers.  These  forces  have,  during 
recent  years,  gradually  become  more  powerful,  and  it  is  therefore 
necessary  to  have  federations  of  associations  in  various  cotton-using 
countries,  and  recent  events  have  proved  that  International  Federation 
has  become  a  necessity  if  the  interests  of  the  industry  as  a  whole  are 
to  be  adequately  safeguarded. 

The  annual  average  price  of  the  cotton  crop  of  the  world  has 
varied  during  the  past  ten  years  from  under  4d.  to  as  high  as  7d.  per 
lb.,  but  taking  an  average  of  5d.  per  lb.,  and  estimating  the  annual 
crop  of  the  world  at  16,000,000  bales  of  500  lbs.  each,  the  value  of  the 
raw  material  would  amount  to  £160,000,000.  In  England,  where  the 
cotton  industry  is  more  highly  specialised  than  elsewhere,  the  cost  of 


PRESIDENTS    ADDRESS  11 

converting  the  raw  material,  when  at  an  average  of  5d.  per  lb.,  into 
finished  fabrics  is  over  one-and-a-half  times  the  original  cost,  so  that 
although  less  may  be  spent  by  other  countries  in  manipulating  the  raw 
material,  the  annual  value  of  the  fabrics  produced  from  cotton  must  be 
about  £850,000,000.  Such  figures  prove  what  an  enormous  factor  the 
cotton  industry  is  in  clothing  the  inhabitants  of  the  world.  How  many 
people  are  employed  in  the  cultivation  of  the  raw  material,  and  in  the 
numerous  processes  through  which  it  passes  before  it  is  converted  into 
clothing,  it  is  impossible  even  approximately  to  estimate.  In  addition, 
there  is  the  influence  an  industry  of  such  dimensions  exercises,  not  only 
upon  all  other  industries  and  on  the  value  of  property  generally,  but 
also  the  employment  it  gives  to  the  mercantile  and  banking  interests, 
and  to  carriers  of  all  kinds  both  by  land  and  sea. 

Although  international  federation  of  the  associations  of  master 
cotton  spinners  had  been  repeatedly  discussed  at  meetings  of  the 
general  committee  of  the  English  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Federation, 
during  the  severe  crisis  through  which  the  industry  has  passed  recently, 
it  was  not  until  the  16th  December,  1903,  that  definite  action  was  taken 
to  bring  it  about.  It  was  felt  by  those  who  had  undertaken  the  organi- 
sation of  the  English  cotton  spinning  industry,  that  the  difficulties 
encountered  had  been  so  great  that,  until  all  the  English  organisations 
of  master  cotton  spinners  were  united  in  one  federation,  it  would  be 
unwise  to  embark  on  an  enterprise  of  such  gigantic  proportions  as 
international  federation.  In  this  connection,  it  is  pleasing  to  be  able  to 
state  that,  since  the  Zurich  International  Congress  was  held,  the 
Bolton  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Association,  which  embraces  the  Fine 
Cotton  Spinners'  and  Doublers'  Association,  has  decided  to  become 
affiliated,  on  July  1st,  with  the  Federation  of  Master  Cotton  Spinners' 
Associations,  which  will  then  embrace  nearly  one-third  of  the  cotton 
spindles  of  the  world.  The  only  associations  of  cotton  spinners  in 
England  still  outside  the  Federation  are  those  connected  with  the  north 
and  north-east  Lancashire  and  Chorley  cotton  spinners'  and  manu- 
facturers' associations.  These  associations  are  largely  composed  of 
manufacturers,  and  the  spindles  affiliated  with  them  represent  about 
one-tenth  of  the  spindles  in  England. 

It  is  hoped  that  ere  long  they,  and  the  few  spinning  concerns  in 
each  of  the  districts  of  the  Federation  area,  who,  for  reasons  of  their 
own,  have  held  aloof  from  the  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Federation, 
will  see  that  it  is  to  their  advantage,  as  well  as  to  that  of  the  trade 
generally,  to  join  their  local  associations  and  be  included  in  the 
Federation. 


12  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

It  must  be  recognised  that  the  spinning  section  of  the  cotton 
industry,  being  the  first  process  and  the  one  which  employs  the  largest 
amount  of  capital,  controls  the  industry  to  a  much  greater  extent  than 
the  manufacturing  section.  But  the  ideal  position  is  that  there  should 
be  two  federations  in  each  country,  one  embracing  the  spinning  section 
and  the  other  the  manufacturing,  each  conducting  the  ordinary  routine 
separately,  but  consulting  in  emergencies,  and  acting  together  whenever 
it  is  to  their  mutual  interests  to  do  so. 

It  was  only  after  many  years  of  patient  and  determined  work, 
amid  much  discouragement,  that  the  English  Federation  of  Master 
Cotton  Spinners'  Associations  attained  the  position  it  now  occupies ;  a 
position  which  enabled  it  during  the  recent  crisis  to  play  such  an 
important  part  in  averting  a  disaster  to  a  great  industry,  a  disaster  that 
might  have  assumed  national  dimensions. 

It  is  impossible  to  emphasise  too  strongly  the  importance  of  com- 
plete organisation.  In  order  to  be  an  effective  executive  force,  it  is 
necessary  in  the  first  place  to  be  prepared  to  make  certain  sacrifices. 
A  large  yearly  income  and  an  accumulated  reserve  fund  is  an  absolute 
necessity,  but  as  this  is  spread  over  a  wide  area  the  individual  em- 
ployer's contribution  is  small  for  the  benefits  received.  There  must, 
further,  be  complete  confidence  in  the  men  appointed  on  the  executive 
committee,  and  when  a  line  of  action  has  been  carefully  considered  and 
decided  upon  by  this  body,  it  must  be  loyally  adhered  to,  otherwise 
federation  becomes  a  name  only  and  not  a  power.  This  will  explain 
the  hesitation  of  the  General  Committee  of  the  English  Master  Cotton 
Spinners'  Federation  with  regard  to  international  federation,  but  the 
stress  of  circumstances  at  the  end  of  1903  led  to  the  initiation  of  a 
movement  which  resulted  in  the  holding  of  the  first  International 
Congress  twelve  months  ago.  As  a  result  of  this  first  Congress,  it  is 
confidently  expected  that  an  international  federation  will  be  formed, 
which  may  ultimately  become  a  great  factor  in  the  regulation  of  the 
cotton  industry  of  the  world. 

In  weighing  up  the  difficulties  of  carrying  out  successfully  the  new 
departure  taken  in  December,  1903,  it  was  resolved  that  everything 
possible  should  be  done  to  make  the  movement  a  success.  With  this 
end  in  view,  it  was  decided  to  seek  the  assistance  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment in  summoning  the  Congress ;  consequently,  a  deputation  waited 
upon  Mr.  A.  J.  Balfour,  the  Prime  Minister,  who,  after  giving  the 
matter  careful  consideration,  and,  doubtless,  with  good  reasons,  declined 
the  request.  So  acute  was  the  crisis  in  the  industry,  however,  that  this 
disappointment  was  not  allowed  to  discourage  those  who  had  the  matter 


PRESIDENTS    ADDRESS  13 

in  hand,  and  although  the  time  left  for  issuing  the  invitation  to  an  inter- 
national congress  was  very  short,  only  some  three  weeks,  it  was  decided 
to  carry  out  the  project.  The  first  International  Cotton  Congress,  held  in 
the  beautiful  city  of  Zurich,  twelve  months  ago,  is  now  a  matter  of  history, 
and  is  generally  admitted  to  have  been  an  unqualified  success.  This 
Congress  was  attended  by  sixty-five  delegates,  representing  the  principal 
associations  of  cotton  employers  from  nine  European  countries.  The 
delegates  consisted  of  men,  who,  at  considerable  personal  sacrifice,  had 
taken  a  leading  part  in  the  organisation  of  the  industry  in  their  respec- 
tive countries — men  who  recognised  their  responsibilities  in  a  wider 
sense  than  the  mere  management  of  their  own  businesses,  and  who  also 
realised  that  the  welfare  of  the  individual  is  inseparably  bound  up  with 
the  welfare  of  the  industry  as  a  whole. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  the  details  of  the  proceedings  at 
Zurich,  as  official  reports  have  been  widely  distributed  to  the  users  of 
cotton  throughout  the  world.  The  International  Committee  gratefully 
acknowledge  their  indebtedness  to  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne,  Foreign 
Secretary,  and  to  the  Rt.  Hon.  Alfred  Lyttleton,  Colonial  Secretary, 
for  their  assistance  in  the  distribution  of  these  reports  to  the  heads  of 
governments  throughout  the  world  and  the  British  colonies,  most  of 
whom  have  officially  acknowledged  these  reports ;  and  special  com- 
munications which  have  been  received  indicate  appreciation  on  the  part 
of  the  recipients.  The  International  Committee  also  were  encouraged 
by  the  interest  evinced  by  Monsieur  Doumergue,  ex-Colonial  Minister 
of  France,  who  received  the  Committee  in  Paris  during  their  sittings 
there  in  September  last.  They  also  appreciated  the  attention  they 
received  from  Monsieur  Droogmanns,  Secretary  of  the  Congo  Free 
State,  who  showed  a  like  interest  by  receiving  the  Committee  at  the 
sittings  at  Brussels,  in  April  last.  The  International  Committee  have 
further  gratefully  to  acknowledge  the  cordial  welcome  and  encourage- 
ment given  by  Mr.  A.  Bonar  Law,  M.P.,  Parliamentary  Secretary  to 
the  Board  of  Trade,  who,  in  the  unavoidable  absence  through  illness  of 
the  Marquis  of  Salisbury,  President  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  received 
the  Committee  in  London,  on  June  3rd. 

In  addition  to  this  there  is  full  appreciation  of  the  services  ren- 
dered by  the  Rt.  Hon.  Alfred  Lyttleton,  the  Duke  of  Marlborough,  and 
the  Rt.  Hon.  St.  John  Brodrick  for  their  valuable  co-operation  in  pro- 
moting the  cultivation  of  cotton  in  the  British  Empire,  which  it  is  felt 
is  not  only  for  the  welfare  of  the  British  cotton  industry,  but  for  the 
welfare  of  the  cotton  industry  of  the  world.  It  is  satisfactory  that  this 
broad  view  obtains  among  those  who  are  promoting  the  growth  of 
cotton  in  the  colonies  of  other  European  countries. 


14  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  the  American  cotton  crop  thirty  years 
ago  only  averaged  about  4,000,000  bales,  and  that  this  season's  crop 
may  reach  13,000,000  bales,  the  whole  of  which  will  be  required  to 
relieve  the  tension  caused  by  the  shortage  during  the  previous  years,  it 
shows  how  urgent  is  the  necessity  for  opening  up  new  sources  of 
supply.  There  is  every  indication  that  the  development  of  this  world- 
wide industry  will  be  even  greater  in  the  future  than  it  has  been  in  the 
past.  It  is  satisfactory  in  the  circumstances,  that  statesmen  are 
assisting  public-spirited  men  in  furthering  the  extension  of  the  growth 
of  cotton. 

The  success  which  so  far  has  attended  the  movement  for  dealing 
with  the  cotton  industry  internationally  must  not  be  allowed  to  mini- 
mise the  difficulties  of  working  such  a  great  organisation.  Experience 
has  proved  that  slow  development  is  more  conducive  to  ultimate 
success  than  either  attempting,  or  even  expecting,  too  great  results  in 
a  short  time.  It  cannot  be  too  forcibly  impressed  upon  the  delegates 
attending  this  Congress,  that,  when  they  return  to  their  respective 
associations,  their  first  work  must  be  to  perfect  the  organisation  of  the 
associations  and  federations  of  associations  in  the  affiliated  countries, 
and  that  this  must  be  done  before  an  international  federation  can 
eff"ectively  deal  with  the  various  problems  of  the  future.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  say  what  might  not  be  accomplished  by  well -organised  inter- 
national federation  in  watching  over  and  protecting  the  common 
interests  of  the  industry,  and  in  taking  action  in  any  common  danger. 
Among  some  of  the  advantages  would  be  the  disseminating  of  reliable 
information  regarding  the  supply  of  the  raw  material,  and  the  securing 
of  a  much  greater  control  of  it,  an  adequate  supply  at  a  reasonable 
price  being  so  essential  to  the  successful  carrying  on  of  the  industry. 

It  is  not  to  the  advantage  of  the  users  of  cotton  that  the  growers 
of  their  raw  material  should  not  get  adequate  remuneration,  and  the 
fluctuations  of  price  brought  about  by  a  large  or  small  yield  is  legi- 
timate enough.  It  is  these  violent  fluctuations  brought  about  largely 
by  the  manipulation  of  operators  which  affect  more  or  less  all  growths 
of  cotton,  and  are  so  detrimental  to  the  welfare  of  the  industry. 

The  possibilities  of  a  combination  of  users  being  sufficiently 
powerful  to  checkmate  speculative  operations  are  very  great,  and  when 
it  is  remembered  that  every  halfpenny  per  pound  that  is  added  to  the 
average  price  of  the  cotton  crop  of  the  world  in  a  single  season  means 
£16,000,000,  and  that  it  has  been  raised  as  much  as  2d.  or  8d.  per  lb. 
during  the  recent  crisis,  anything  that  would  prevent  such  undue 
enhancement  would  be  of  inestimable  benefit.     A  large  proportion  of 


PRESIDENTS    ADDRESS  15 

such  advances  certainly  does  not  find  its  way  into  the  hands  of  the 
planters  or  the  legitimate  middlemen,  but  into  those  of  the  operators. 
It  must  also  be  borne  in  mind  that  any  serious  rise  in  the  price  of 
raw  cotton  undoubtedly  reduces  the  demand  for  the  manufactured 
products,  and,  consequently,  the  employment  for  the  spindles  and 
looms,  the  largest  consumers  of  cotton  goods  being  the  poorest  people 
in  the  world.  Then,  again,  violent  fluctuations  in  the  price  of  the 
raw  material  interfere  most  seriously  with  the  smooth  working  of  the 
industry,  and  heavy  losses  are  frequently  incurred  by  those  who  have 
their  capital  invested  in  it. 

The  cotton  industry  has  been  subject  in  the  past  to  dislocation 
by  war,  pestilence,  and  famine,  and  to  undue  extension  of  production 
during  periods  of  prosperity. 

Experience  in  dealing  with  the  recent  crisis  has  conclusively 
demonstrated  that  the  only  effective  method  of  meeting  trade  con- 
ditions that  lead  to  temporary  overproduction  is  by  organised  effort 
to  regulate  the  supply  to  the  demand,  and  that  such  a  line  of  action 
is  the  best  in  the  interests  of  both  the  employers  and  operatives. 

Could  it  but  be  fully  realised  how  a  great  industry  may  be  rendered 
unprofitable  by  producing  even  only  a  little  in  excess  of  requirements, 
and  how  small  is  the  sacrifice  necessary  to  regulate  the  balance  of 
supply  and  demand  if  all  unite,  there  would  be  no  hesitation  in  adopting 
such  a  policy,  that  is,  either  to  restrict  production,  or,  if  special 
circumstances  prevent  this  in  some  cases,  to  pay  a  levy  to  the  feder- 
ation funds  which  would  be  an  honourable  equivalent  to  stoppage. 
No  doubt  some  may  consider  such  proposals  are  unworkable,  but 
w^hat  has  been  done  so  recently  by  a  quarter  of  the  spindles  of  the 
world  can  be  done  by  the  whole,  efficient  organisation  being  all  that 
is  necessary,  either  in  dealing  with  the  cotton  industry  in  individual 
countries,  or  in  dealing  with  conditions  which  affect  the  cotton  in- 
dustry of  the  world. 

The  friendly  intercourse  that  took  place  among  the  representatives 
of  the  nine  nationalities,  which  constituted  the  first  International 
Congress,  showed  how  diversified  are  the  conditions  under  which  the 
cotton  industry  is  carried  on,  and  that  each  country  takes  its  own 
part.  At  the  same  time,  all  were  convinced  that  there  is  much  in 
common,  and  that  international  federation  is  becoming  a  necessity  of 
the  times.  Such  a  federation  of  those  engaged  in  this  world-wide 
industry  must  also  act  as  a  powerful  factor  in  promoting  peace  and 
goodwill  among  the  nations. 


16  INTERNATIONAL     COTTON     CONGRESS 

I  now  call  upon  Senor  Calvet,  the  President  of  the  Spanish 
Cotton  Spinners'  Association,  to  say  a  few  words. 

Senor  Calvet  (speaking  in  English)  said :  I  rise  to  discharge  a 
duty  no  less  honourable  and  agreeable  than  it  is  difficult.  Honourable 
and  agreeable  to  greet  you  in  the  name  of  my  companions  here  present, 
and  in  that  of  the  Spanish  Cotton  Industry  represented  by  them ;  and 
difficult  because,  unfortunately,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  express  my  senti- 
ments at  this  moment. 

This  is  the  first  Cotton  Congress  at  which  a  Spanish  delega- 
tion assists  officially,  and  until  recently  our  Association  had  not  joined 
the  International  Cotton  Federation.  Yet  do  not  believe  that  this 
implies  any  lack  of  desire  on  our  part  to  co-operate  in  this  work  so  far 
as  it  may  be  in  our  power,  or  that  we  are  not  aware  of  its  impor- 
tance and  utility.  Thanks  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Taveira,  the  repre- 
sentative of  Portugal,  and  to  the  reports  of  the  Congress  at  Zurich, 
which  were  published  by  our  trade  journals,  we  are  perfectly  acquain- 
ted with  all  the  importance  of  the  work  you  have  carried  out,  and  the 
necessity  of  an  international  understanding  to  defend  the  great  interests 
of  the  cotton  industry. 

The  constitution  of  the  International  Association  is  approved  by 
the  local  committees  which  we  have  rapidly  organised  in  order  to  enable 
us  to  join  you  and  co-operate  in  your  task,  modestly  but  with  great 
enthusiasm,  and  also,  if  you  wish,  with  a  view  to  self-interest,  and  so 
as  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  salutary  lessons  that  can  be  learned  from  a 
mutual  knowledge  of  men  and  trades. 

You  can  count  upon  the  cotton  industry  of  our  country,  of  about 
three  million  spindles  and  sixty  thousand  looms, — no  mean  figures  if 
you  bear  in  mind  the  population  and  the  limited  demands  of  the  Spanish 
market,  and  that  this  industry  is  established  almost  exclusively  in 
Catalonia. 

Owing  to  the  peculiar  circumstances  our  country  has  passed 
through  during  the  last  few  years,  there  has  been  some  delay  in  the 
progressive  development  of  the  cotton  industry  and  the  association 
movement  so  indispensable  nowadays.  This  is  why  we  have  not  yet 
embraced  in  our  local  association  all  the  factors  I  mentioned  before,  but 
I  am  convinced  that  ere  long  we  shall  obtain  the  adhesion  of  the  great 
majority. 

I  do  not  want  to  abuse  the  kind  attention  you  have  given  me.  You 
know  our  intentions.  We  come  here  willing  to  work,  so  far  as  it  be 
possible,  to  assist  and  strengthen  the  International  Federation  of  Cotton 


COMMITTEE'S    REPORT  17 

Spinners  and  Manufacturers,  and  to  cement  our  mutual  understanding, 
so  as  to  defend  our  common  interests. 

Before  entering  on  the  study  of  the  problems  which  constitute  the 
object  of  the  Congress,  permit  me  in  the  name  of  the  Spanish  cotton 
industry  which  I  have  mentioned,  to  offer  my  most  hearty  greeting  to 
the  Delegates  of  the  nations  who  constitute  the  International  Com- 
mittee, greeting  which  I  would  offer  more  especially  to  the  President, 
Mr.  Macara,  and  to  the  English  Associations  for  the  courteous  and 
kind  hospitality  with  which  we  have  been  received,  and  for  which  we 
find  no  words  to  express  our  gratitude.  Yet  there  remains  to  us  the 
hope  that  one  day  we  may  enjoy  the  honour  of  receiving  you  and  re- 
turning your  great  kindness,  if  not  in  the  measure  of  your  merits,  at 
least  with  the  frank,  loyal,  and  sincere  hospitality  which  we  now  most 
heartily  offer. 

Pray  receive  the  sincere  adhesion  and  cordial  salutations  of  the 
Spanish  cotton  industry. 

The    Secretary,   Mr.   John    Smethurst,  read  the  report  of   the 

International  Committee,  which  was  as  follows  :— 

In  presenting  its  first  Annual  Report,  your  Committee  desires  to 
place  on  record  its  intense  satisfaction  that  the  First  International 
Congress  of  Representatives  of  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  and  Manu- 
facturers' Associations,  held  at  Zurich  last  year,  proved  to  be  such  an 
unqualified  success.  The  goodwill  and  mutual  forbearance  displayed 
at  that  gathering  were  a  happy  augury  for  the  success  of  the  Inter- 
national Federation,  which  it  is  believed  is  destined  to  play  an  im- 
portant part  in  the  carrying  on  of  one  of  the  world's  greatest  industries. 

Following  close  on  the  Zurich  Congress,  your  Committee  had  to 
regret  the  loss,  through  death,  of  a  trusted  and  valued  colleague, 
Monsieur  Georges  Motte,  the  President  of  the  French  Federation  of 
Master  Cotton  Spinners  and  Manufacturers.  A  suitable  letter  of  con- 
dolence was  forwarded  by  the  Committee  to  Madame  Motte,  and 
Monsieur  Berger  was  appointed  to  take  his  place  on  the  Committee. 

The  preparation  of  a  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  First 
Congress  was  a  work  requiring  the  greatest  care  and  attention.  The 
Report,  translated  into  the  three  official  languages,  was  widely  cir- 
culated, and  has  no  doubt  been  read  with  considerable  interest.  Copies 
were  supplied  to  the  heads  of  Governments,  and  the  Rulers  of  all 
European  nations. 

In  accordance  with  the  instructions  received  at  Zurich,  your  Com- 
mittee has  devoted  a  considerable  amount  of  time  and  thought  to  the 
preparation  of  a  Constitution  and  Code  of  Rules,  for  the  efficient  and 
business-like  working  of  the  proposed  International  Federation,  Your 
Committee's  recommendations  have  been  submitted  to  all  the  Asso- 
ciations represented  at  Zurich.  Various  amendments  and  additions 
have  been  suggested,  and  the  amended  Constitution  and  Rules  will  be 
placed  before  this  Congress  for  adoption  or  otherwise. 


18  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Your  Committee  is  of  opinion  that  the  Constitution,  as  now  sub- 
mitted, is  worthy  of  acceptance,  and  it  is  hoped  that  one  result  of  the 
Second  International  Congress  will  be  the  successful  launching  of  a 
Federation,  which,  in  the  near  future,  will  prove  of  the  greatest  benefit 
to  Cotton  Spinners  and  Manufacturers  of  all  nations. 

One  of  the  most  important  subjects  dealt  with  at  Zurich,  was  the 
question  of  increasing  the  sources  of  cotton  supply. 

Your  Committee  desires  to  gratefully  acknowledge  the  courtesy  of 
Monsieur  Doumergue,  ex-Colonial  Minister  of  France,  and  Monsieur 
Droogmanns,  Secretary  of  the  Congo  Free  State,  who  received  the 
Committee  in  Paris  and  Brussels,  and  who  spoke  of  the  profound 
interest  they  and  their  Governments  took  in  all  measures  having  for 
their  object  the  increasing  of  the  supply  of  cotton. 

Monsieur  Casimir  Berger,  who  was  deputed  by  your  Committee 
to  collect  information  on  this  subject,  will  present  a  Report  to  the 
Congress,  and  his  Report  will  be  supplemented  by  one  to  be  read  by 
Senhor  Taveira. 

The  question  as  to  the  universal  adoption  of  the  Metric  System  of 
Weights  and  Measures  has  received  attention,  and  Herr  Ferd.  Gross 
has  prepared  an  exhaustive  Report,  which  will  be  presented  on  Thurs- 
day next,  when  papers  will  also  be  read  by  Messrs.  J.  R.  Byrom  and 
T.  Roberts,  who  will  deal  with  the  subject  from  the  English  Spinners' 
and  Manufacturers'  standpoint. 

Herr  Kuffler,  at  the  request  of  your  Committee,  has  studied  the 
question  of  "  The  Regulation  of  the  Purchase  of  Cotton,"  and  will 
submit  his  views  to  the  Congress  to-morrow. 

For  the  efficient  and  useful  working  of  an  International  Federation 
the  question  of  Organisation  is  all-important.  Your  Committee,  after 
having  carefully  gone  into  the  question  in  all  its  bearings,  is  of  opinion 
that  the  time  is  opportune  for  the  appointment  of  a  Continental 
Secretary.  Preliminary  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Chairman 
and  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Committee  with  a  view  to  obtaining 
the  services  of  a  suitable  man,  who  should  combine,  wdth  some 
technical  knowledge,  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  English, 
French  and  German  languages.  Several  applicants  for  the  position 
have  been  interviewed,  and  at  a  later  stage  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
Congress,  your  Committee  will  submit  a  recommendation  for  the 
appointment  of  a  Continental  Secretary,  to  act  along  with  Mr. 
Smethurst. 

In  this  connection  your  Committee  desires  to  testify  its  high  ap- 
preciation of  the  services  of  Mr.  John  Smethurst,  who  was  appointed 
Secretary  at  the  Zurich  Congress,  and  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  unanimously  adopted  by  your  Committee  at  Brussels,  will,  it  is 
confidently  believed,  be  heartily  endorsed  by  this  Congress : — 

"  The  International  Committee  desires  to  place  on  record  its  high 
appreciation  of  the  very  efficient  and  valuable  work  of  Mr.  John 
Smethurst  in  connection  with  the  International  Federation, 
and  unanimously  recommends  that  as  Honorary  Secretary  to 
the  Committee  he  be  paid  an  honorarium  of  one  hundred 
pounds  per  annum,  commencing  from  the  Manchester  Con- 
gress." 


CONSTITUTION   AND    RULES  19 

Much  valuable  information  on  the  question  of  Organisation  has 
been  collected  by  Monsieur  Jean  de  Hemptinne,  which  will  be  of 
great  assistance  to  your  Committee  when  it  comes  to  deal  with  the 
efficient  organising  of  the  various  Associations  comprising  the  Inter- 
national Federation. 

Communications  have  been  opened  up  with  Associations  not 
represented  at  Zurich,  with  a  view  to  their  becoming  affiliated.  It  is 
pleasing  to  report  that  as  a  result  of  these  endeavours  the  spinners  of 
Spain  have  decided  to  become  members,  and  Seiior  Eduardo  Calvet 
has  been  designated  as  their  representative  on  the  Committee.  It  is 
hoped  that  before  very  long  the  Federation  will  include  in  its  mem- 
bership the  Cotton  Spinning  and  Manufacturing  Associations  of  all 
countries.  That  this  should  become  an  accomplished  fact  is  of  the 
greatest  importance,  as  only  by  united  action  can  many  of  the  difficul- 
ties of  the  industry  be  successfully  combated. 

Your  Committee  cannot  close  its  report  without  expressing  its 
deep  sense  of  gratitude  at  the  evidences  it  has  received,  from  many 
quarters,  of  the  keen  desire  to  Avelcome  to  England  the  delegated 
representatives  of  the  cotton  spinning  and  manufacturing  industries 
of  various  nationalities.  Your  Committee  accepts  those  evidences  of 
kindness  and  goodwill  in  the  spirit  in  which  they  are  tendered.  It 
expresses  the  firm  conviction  that  differences  of  language  and  custom 
need  be  no  barrier  to  deep  and  sincere  friendship.  Though  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  safeguarding  the  mutual  interests  of  its  members,  the 
fervent  wish  is  expressed  that  the  International  Federation  may  be  one 
of  the  most  powerful  instruments  in  bringing  the  nations  more  closely 
together,  and  do  something  in  the  realisation  of  the  ideal  so  feelingly 
expressed  at  the  first  Congress  : — 

"The  Parliament  of  man,  the  Federation  of  the  world." 

This  report  was  adopted  on  the  motion  of  the  Chairman,  seconded 
by  Herr  Kuffler. 

Mr.  Smethurst  presented  the  financial  statement. 

In  moving  its  adoption,  the  President  said:  I  should  like  to 
explain  that  the  various  associations  connected  with  this  organisation 
pay  the  expenses  of  their  delegates,  so  that  these  expenses  are  not 
included  in  this  statement. 

Herr  Syz  seconded  the  motion,  which  was  agreed  to. 

CONSTITUTION    AND    RULES. 

The  President  :  The  framing  of  the  Constitution  and  Rules  has 
taken  a  large  portion  of  the  time  and  attention  of  the  International 
Committee  at  their  meetings  in  Paris  and  Brussels. 

These  regulations  were  submitted,  after  the  Paris  meeting,  to  all 
Associations  interested.  Some  amendments  were  proposed  by  different 
Associations,  and  these  were  considered  at  the  Brussels  meeting  in 
April  last.     Perhaps  the  most  important  amendment  is  that  which 


20  INTERNATIONAL     COTTON     CONGRESS 

provides  for  a  deputy  member  of  Committee  who,  if  his  country 
desires  it,  may  attend  all  meetings  of  Committee ;  but  he  does  so 
without  voting  power. 

The  Rules  are  in  your  hands,  and  I  hope  you  have  had  opportunity 
for  their  careful  perusal. 

In  order  to  put  this  matter  in  due  form  before  the  Congress,  I  have 
now  much  pleasure  in  moving  the  adoption  of  these  Statutes. 

Herr  Syz  seconded  the  motion. 

Herr  A.  Kuffler  :  The  Chairman  has  proposed  the  adoption  of  the 
Statutes  which  have  been  compiled  by  the  International  Committee. 
To  draw  up  these  Statutes  was  the  first  work  of  that  Committee. 
One  of  the  most  important  questions  was,  how  this  Committee 
should  represent  the  different  countries  and  how  they  could  be  best 
represented.  It  is,  of  course,  only  possible  to  work  effectively  with  a 
small  Committee.  The  smaller  the  Committee,  the  better  the  work  and 
the  more  can  be  accomplished.  Although  the  first  Committee  fully 
recognised  the  enormous  difference  in  the  importance  of  the  industries 
in  the  various  countries,  the  Committee  has  thought  it  advisable  to 
propose  to  you  that  only  one  member  ought  to  be  nominated  for  each 
country,  without  regard  to  the  importance  of  the  industry  in  such  country. 
In  all  the  great  industrial  countries  organisation  is  so  far  advanced  that 
it  is  likely  that  only  such  men  will  be  nominated  for  the  Committee  as 
can  best  express  the  wishes  of  their  respective  countries.  The  other  con- 
ditions contained  in  the  Statutes  are  only  of  a  formal  character.  They 
contain  nothing  which  would  compel  any  of  the  represented  Asso- 
ciations to  accept  and  submit  to  a  resolution  adopted  by  the  In- 
ternational Federation.  The  sole  purpose  is  to  make  proposals 
and  to  take  steps  to  work  for  the  common  interest.  The  only  obli- 
gation is  to  pay  the  Levy,  This  Levy  has  been  fixed.  It  amounts 
to  yi^  of  a  penny  per  spindle,  and  |-d.  per  loom.  In  the  first 
year  the  double  amount  has  to  be  paid  which  includes  the  Entrance 
Fee.  This  is  the  only  binding  obligation.  All  other  resolutions  and 
obligations  can  be  considered  independently  by  each  Association, 
and  in  each  case  they  can  decide  whether  they  submit  to  them  or  not. 
The  Committee  has  thought  it  advisable  to  draw  as  many  delegates  as 
possible  to  the  Congress.  The  Congress  in  Zurich  proved  that  it  is 
most  desirable  to  bring  as  many  people  as  possible  together,  to  make 
them  acquainted  with  each  other,  and  give  them  an  opportunity  to 
discuss  their  mutual  affairs.  Of  course,  the  number  of  votes  must  be 
restricted.  They  have  been  fixed  at  one  vote  for  each  million  spindles, 
or  one  vote  for  40,000  looms,  but  no  country  can  have  more  than  twenty 


CONSTITUTION  AND   RULES  21 

votes.     I  think  I  have  given  you  in  these  few  words  the  gist  of  the 
Statutes. 

Mr.  J,  R.  Byrom  suggested  that  two  representatives  from  England 
should  have  seats  on  the  Committee. 

Mr.  S.  Newton  seconded  this  amendment. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Thomas  desired  it  to  be  made  clear  that  the  one  repre- 
sentative should  be  a  spinner  and  the  other  a  manufacturer. 

Herr  A.  Kuffler:  Would  you  allow  me  to  remind  you  that  the 
subject  of  this  amendment  was  before  the  Congress  at  Zurich,  and  that 
we  had  a  long  discussion  upon  it  ?  We  can  understand  that  it  would  be 
good  to  have  more  delegates  on  this  Committee,  and  that  the  interests 
of  the  spinners  and  manufacturers  are  not  always  the  same,  and  one 
man  cannot  very  well  always  represent  both  interests.  But,  we  must 
understand  that  in  every  country  where  there  is  a  cotton  industry  there 
is  spinning  and  manufacturing.  I  don't  know  of  any  country  where 
there  is  only  spinning  or  only  manufacturing.  If  you  want  to  have  the 
thing  on  a  fair  basis  you  must  allow  one  delegate  for  the  manufacturers 
of  every  nationality  represented  here  if  you  allow  a  representative  for 
the  English  manufacturers,  for  the  same  differences  of  opinion  will 
exist  between  the  German  spinner  and  the  German  manufacturer,  and 
the  French  spinner  and  the  French  manufacturer.  If  you  think  the 
manufacturing  interest  should  be  represented  on  this  Committee  you  must 
give  representation  to  the  manufacturing  interest  of  all  the  countries. 
That  would  make  the  committee  of  12  into  a  committee  of  24,  and  as 
you  will  have  deputies,  a  committee  of  24  will  make  a  committee  of  48. 
We  will  very  soon  get  to  the  whole  of  the  Congress.  If  you  think  we 
should  have  more  meetings  a  year,  you  can  call  together  two  Con- 
gresses, or  three  Congresses,  but  it  could  hardly  be  called  a  committee 
meeting  if  you  have  to  call  together  48  gentlemen  from  all  parts  of  the 
world,  and  I  think  this  practical  view  of  the  thing  would  make  it  very  dif- 
ficult to  have  more  members  on  this  Committee.  But  there  is  still  another 
argument ;  we  don't  intend,  at  least  I  understand  this  international  or- 
ganisation does  not  intend  to  work  on  any  question  where  the  interests 
are  divided.  I  think  there  are  so  many  points  where  there  is  a  common 
interest  for  all  nationalities,  and  for  all  users  of  cotton,  whether  they 
use  the  thread  or  the  raw  material,  that  for  many  years  we  shall  have 
plenty  of  work  to  do.  If  we  can  organise  ourselves  to  work  these  mat- 
ters of  common  interest,  I  think  we  could  leave  out  every  controversial 
point  between  the  spinner  and  the  manufacturer  from  the  beginning. 
I  think  such  questions  as  the  extension  of  planting  of  cotton  and 
similar  ones  are  exactly  of  the  same  interest  to  the  spinner  as  to  the 


22  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

manufacturer,  and  I  think  we  might  be  able  to  avoid  all  those  difficul- 
ties if  we  left  it  as  it  is  now  in  the  Statutes.  I  wish  to  deal  with  one 
other  point.  Of  course,  if  the  spinners  alone  are  represented,  it  may  be 
that  for  some  large  manufacturing  association  it  may  not  seem  fair  to 
pay  the  same  levies  as  the  spinners.  I  think  in  discussing  that,  either 
to-day  or  to-morrow,  under  the  head  of  organisation,  we  should  find 
some  way  to  deal  with  it,  and  to  make  perhaps  a  kind  of  associate 
membership  for  all  organisations  other  than  spinners,  who  want  to 
join  the  Congress,  but  still  not  become  full  members.  I  think  these 
difficulties  could  be  avoided.  And  then,  as  a  last  point,  as  we  have  a 
deputy  member  for  every  nationality,  the  local  committee  or  the  local 
organisation  could  always  arrange  to  have  a  spinner  as  member  and  a 
manufacturer  as  deputy,  and  as  Mr.  Macara  has  pointed  out,  the 
deputy  will  have  power  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Committee  and 
they  will  always  have  the  means  to  object  at  once  if  any  motion  is 
brought  forward  that  they  consider  undesirable.  If  you  consider  all 
these  points  together  I  think  you  might  just  as  well  leave  it  as  it  is  and 
try  to  get  over  these  difficulties  by  appointing  a  manufacturer  as 
deputy,  and  making  alterations  in  the  rule  as  to  associated  membership 
to  allow  manufacturers  to  fall  in  without  becoming  full  members. 

Mr.  H.  HiGSON  considered  that,  as  the  matters  of  Organisation 
and  the  Levy  were  down  for  discussion  on  the  following  day,  it  would 
be  wise  to  postpone  further  reference  to  this  subject  till  then. 

Mr.  E.  Stansfield  supported  this  view. 

After  some  remarks  by  Mr.  J.  L.  Tattersall  and  Mr.  J.  T. 
Dawson,  the  Congress  unanimously  approved  of  the  adjournment  of 
the  discussion. 


28 


SECOND    DAY'S    PROCEEDINGS. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE   6th. 
Chairman:    Herr    ARTHUR    KUFFLER. 

The  Chairman,  thanking  the  Congress  for  the  honour  bestowed 
upon  him  by  his  appointment  to  the  chair,  said  he  took  it  as  a  kind  of 
international  courtesy  that  this  honour  should  be  conferred  on  the 
representatives  of  the  smaller  industrial  countries  after  those  of  such 
countries  as  England,  Germany  and  France  had  held  the  seat. 

The  IMinutes  of  the  business  of  the  previous  day  were  read  and 
adopted. 

CONSTITUTION    AND    RULES. 

The  Chairman  said  the  first  business  was  the  reconsideration  of 

the   Rules.     There  were  two  motions  to  bring  before  the  Congress 

in  regard  to  representation  on  the  Committee ;    one,  the  unanimous 

recommendation  of  the  executive  committee,  and  the  other  by  Herr 

Langen.    The  proposed  amendments  were  to  clause  11.    Herr  Langen 

proposed  that  it  should  read : — 

"  The  Committee  shall  consist  of  one  Delegate  from  each  country 
affiliated  to  the  International  Federation,  Countries  having 
more  than  twenty  million  spindles,  or  the  proportionate  number 
of  looms,  shall  be  entitled  to  two  Delegates." 

The  Committee's  view  was  that  the  Chairman,  who  presided  over 
the  permanent  work  of  the  Committee  and  of  the  office  in  Manchester, 
should  not  be  looked  upon  as  an  ordinary  delegate,  but  should  be  con- 
sidered as  representing  the  whole  of  the  countries  affiliated,  and  that 
the  country  to  which  he  belonged  should  be  entitled  to  another  dele- 
gate. If  the  Congress  adopted  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee, 
the  clause  would  read  : — 

"The  Committee  of  Management  shall  consist  of  one  Delegate 
from  each  country  affiliated  to  the  International  Federation, 
and  the  Committee,  from  its  own  members,  shall  appoint  the 
Chairman,  Vice-chairman,  and  two  honorary  Treasurers  of 
the  Federation.  Each  country  shall  appoint  its  own  Delegate. 
The  country  which  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Management  represents  shall  be  entitled  to  another  represen- 
tative on  the  Committee." 

This  would  make  it  necessary  to  alter  clause  32,  which  reads : — 

**  A  Delegate  of  the  country  in  which  Congress  assembles  shall 
usually  preside  over  the  opening  meeting  of   Congress  and 


24  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

welcome  the  Delegates,  The  President  of  the  International 
Federation  will  then  take  the  chair,  the  names  of  the  Dele- 
gates shall  be  called  over,  and  the  President's  address  be 
given.  After  which  shall  follow  the  reading  of  a  Report  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Management,  and  the 
presentation  of  the  Financial  Statement." 

The  Committee  thought  that  it  would  be  better  if  the  delegate  or 

member  of  committee  representing  the  country  in  which  the  Congress 

was  held,  should  be  the  President  of  such  Congress.     They  had  Herr 

Syz,  President  of  the  Swiss  Association,  presiding  over  the  Congress  at 

Zurich  last  year.     This  year  it  was  the  turn  of  Mr.  Macara  to  preside 

at  the  Congress  in  England.      If  the  Congress  were  held  in  France, 

M.  Berger  would  preside,  and  if  in  Germany,  the  chairman  would 

be  Herr  Gross.     Therefore,  clause  32  should  read : — 

"  The  member  of  the  Committee  of  Management  representing  the 
country  in  which  the  Congress  assembles  shall  preside  over 
such  Congress.  The  names  of  the  Delegates  shall  be  called 
over,  after  which  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Manage- 
ment shall  present  the  Report,  to  be  followed  by  the  reading 
of  the  Financial  Statement." 

Herr  C.  O.  Langen  :  I  should  like  to  support  this  motion.  I  think 
this  is  a  compromise  which  is  entirely  fair  and  just,  and  which  does 
not  alter  the  present  Statutes  very  materially.  I  think  the  solution  of 
this  question  a  very  good  one,  and  I  should  like  to  urge  the  acceptance 
of  the  alteration. 

The  Chairman  then  moved  the  amendments  to  Rules  11  and  32, 
as  proposed  by  the  Committee,  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  by  their 
adoption  many  difficulties  would  be  overcome. 

Mr.  S.  Newton  seconded  the  motion. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Tattersall  explained  that  the  Rules  were  not  like  the 
laws  of  the  Medes  and  Persians — they  were  not  unalterable.  It  must 
be  by  experience  that  they  would  discover  the  best  methods  of  per- 
forming the  work  that  lay  before  them.  As  they  appreciated  and 
understood  each  other  more  in  the  years  to  come,  they  would  more 
nearly  approach  the  organisation  which  they  thought  just  and  equal 
to  all. 

The  amended  Rules,  as  suggested  by  the  Committee,  were  unani- 
mously adopted,  and  the  Chairman  observed  :  I  think  you  have  done 
very  good  work.  It  is  the  best  thing  that  could  have  been  done,  for 
we  have  now  overcome  all  difficulties. 

The  American  Delegate. 
At  this  stage  Mr.  S.  S.  Dale,  the  American  Delegate,  arrived,  and 
was  heartily  welcomed. 


ORGANISATION    WORK.  25 

Acknowledging  his  reception,  Mr.  Dale  said :  Our  cotton  asso- 
ciations are  in  thorough  sympathy  with  the  general  principle  of  inter- 
national organisation,  but  they  have  not  yet  reached  the  point  where 
they  are  prepared  to  organise  for  the  restriction  of  the  consumption  of 
American  cotton.  You  will  appreciate  that  in  our  country  we  have 
peculiar  conditions.  We  have  not  yet,  perhaps,  got  out  of  the  pro- 
vincial idea.  But  our  ideas  are  broadening  slowly,  and  as  our  export 
trade  increases,  and  our  interests  outside  our  own  tarifl  walls  enlarge, 
we  will  doubtless  be  more  ready  to  join  in  the  international  organisa- 
tion which  you  have  so  auspiciously  inaugurated. 

ORGANISATION    WORK. 

Appointment  of  a  Permanent  Secretary. 

The  Congress  next  turned  its  attention  to  organisation  work,  the 
importance  of  which  was  emphasised  by  the  Chairman. 

M.  Jean  de  Hemptinne  (Belgium):  The  question  of  the  organi- 
sation of  the  International  Federation  is  of  the  highest  importance,  and 
deserves  the  fullest  attention  of  the  Congress,  Next  to  that  of  the 
increase  and  the  development  of  the  cultivation  of  cotton,  it  is  pre- 
eminently the  one  which  should  give  the  most  practical  results.  It  is 
plain  that  in  order  to  establish  an  enduring  and  earnest  International 
Federation  it  should  be  based  on  well-organised  associations  in  all 
countries.  It  becomes  imperative  that  at  any  given  moment  the 
Federation  should  be  able  to  find  in  them  a  point  of  support  enabling 
it  to  take  measures  of  a  general  and  common  interest.  Should  we, 
unfortunately,  once  more  find  ourselves  face  to  face  with  the  difficulties 
which  brought  about  our  strenuous  endeavour  towards  the  under- 
standing which  we  inaugurated  last  year,  at  the  Congress  held  in 
Zurich,  the  intervention  of  the  International  Federation  will  certainly 
become  necessary,  and  it  could  only  intervene  efficaciously  if  it  had  in 
each  country  a  seriously  constituted  association.  There  are  other 
circumstances  which  might  lead  the  Federation  to  take  measures  of 
general  interest  for  the  cotton  industry,  e.g.,  the  questions  of  transport, 
packing,  conditions  of  sale,  humidity,  waste,  arbitration,  and  so  forth. 
Here,  again,  it  could  not  intervene,  were  it  not  to  have  the  earnest 
support  of  its  component  associations. 

This  question  is,  assuredly,  a  most  vital  one,  and  should  be 
deeply  gone  into.  It  would,  it  appears,  be  most  difficult,  nay,  even 
impossible,  to  adopt  a  uniform  type  of  organisation  for  all  countries. 
The  totally  different  conditions  of  their  commerce  and  industry  place 
each  one  of  them  in  a  separate  situation.  A  measure  productive  of 
excellent  results  in  one  country  might  bring  about  the  most  disastrous 

c 


26  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

consequences  in  another.  Each  country  should  consider  the  statutes 
and  regulations  suitable  to  it.  Information  courteously  supplied  to  me 
by  members  of  the  International  Committee  has  convinced  me  that  in 
several  countries  the  associations  are  far  from  having  attained  a  satis- 
factory degree  of  organisation.  It  is  fair  to  say  that  several  associations 
are  of  recent  creation,  and  have  not  yet  had  time  to  perfect  themselves. 
The  powerful  Master  Spinners'  Federation  in  England  had  to  labour 
for  over  fifteen  years  to  obtain  the  degree  of  perfection  which  we  so 
admire,  and  I  hope  I  may  be  permitted  to  render  homage  to  the 
President  and  to  the  General  Committee,  who,  by  virtue  of  their  energy 
and  their  increasing  and  persistent  labours,  have  brought  this  Federa- 
tion to  so  high  a  degree  of  perfection.  But,  if  on  the  one  hand  the 
question  of  organisation  is  of  the  most  delicate,  none  the  less  is  it 
unavoidable.  It  forces  itself  upon  us.  The  countries  which  do  not 
enter  resolutely  upon  the  road  of  organisation  will  become  the  victims 
of  their  negligence  and  lack  of  foresight.  This  necessity  has  its  source 
in  the  modern  organisations  of  trade  and  industry. 

The  conditions  under  which  the  cotton  industry  is  compelled  to 
work  and  develop  itself  have  undergone  a  complete  transformation  in 
the  last  twenty-five  years.  We  no  longer  live  in  the  times  where  in- 
dustrial interests  were  confined  to  the  few.  The  creation  of  limited 
companies  has  completely  transformed  this  state  of  things.  Formerly, 
a  more  favourable  topographical  situation,  unusual  skill,  or  a  manu- 
facturing secret  sedulously  concealed  from  competitors,  more  perfect 
machinery,  allowed  an  intelligent  and  enterprising  spinner  to  fight 
his  neighbours  to  his  own  advantage.  The  means  of  transport, 
and  the  facilities  for  communication,  have  also  disturbed  our  ancient 
habits.  Competition  has  been  fiercer,  and  has  spread  throughout  the 
whole  world.  A  new  condition  of  affairs  calls  forth  fresh  needs.  We 
must  organise,  under  penalty  of  seeing  our  profits  daily  become  less  and 
less  without  benefit  to  anybody.  How  is  such  a  state  of  organisation  to 
be  reached  ?  In  my  opinion,  the  Committee  should  resolutely  take  the 
task  in  hand,  and  should  begin  by  drawing  up  an  exact  report  on  the 
state  of  affairs  in  the  several  countries.  It  might  entrust  the  report  to 
the  Secretary  of  the  Committee,  who  should  go  into  each  country  and 
study  its  existing  organisation.  He  should  meet  the  committees  and 
study  with  them  the  statutes  and  regulations  most  readily  to  be  applied 
to  use.  It  would  be  necessary  to  point  out  in  each  country  to  hesitating 
spinners  the  considerable  advantages  of,  first,  a  local  understanding, 
secondly,  a  general  one.  They  must  be  educated  up  to  it.  It  is  not  the 
work  of  a  day,  but  by  dint  of  intelligence  and  patient  work  we  shall 
attain  results  which  will  in  a  few  years  surprise  us. 


ORGANISATION    WORK  27 

The  Chairman  agreed  that  it  was  necessary  a  Permanent  Sec- 
retary should-  be  appointed.  In  the  various  countries  affiliated  to  the 
International  Federation  the  organisations  were  different.  Indeed,  they 
could  not  e.xpect  all  to  be  organised  alike.  But  if  they  desired  to  come 
to  an  international  understanding,  they  must  point  out  to  their  friends 
what  were  their  mutual  points  of  interest.  They  must  help  to  build  up 
their  organisations  in  a  way  which  would  fall  in  with  the  international 
movement. 

It  was  of  importance  that  they  should  have  a  Permanent  Secretary, 
particularly  for  the  continental  work.  The  cotton  trade  in  England 
was  so  well  organised  that  he  did  not  think  those  connected  with  it 
required  much  assistance  in  the  matter,  but  it  was  not  so  in  regard 
to  the  Continent.  The  Congress  required  a  Permanent  Secretary, 
particularly  to  study  the  organisations  on  the  Continent  and  assist 
in  building  up,  not  a  uniform  organisation,  which  could  not  be  done, 
but  an  organisation  that  was  best  adapted  for  the  various  countries. 
If  they  knew  what  the  different  organisations  were  like,  they  would 
be  able  to  judge  as  to  what  common  steps  they  could  take.  For 
instance,  last  year  the  English  Federation  called  upon  the  continental  and 
American  organisations  to  fall  in  with  a  proposal  to  reduce  the  working 
hours  and  so  reduce  the  output,  but  they  did  not  know  that  those 
organisations  had  never  studied  this  question.  It  would  be  the  work  of 
a  Permanent  Secretary  to  inform  the  organisations  in  the  different 
countries  what  could  be  done,  and  to  report  to  the  International  Federa- 
tion. In  this  way  they  would  be  able  to  bring  all  organisations  to  a 
state  of  perfection  for  dealing  with  those  questions  which  were  of 
common  interest. 

Herr  Syz  said  all  the  secretarial  work  in  connection  with  the  first 
and  second  Congresses  had  been  carried  out  by  two  gentlemen  who 
only  held  honorary  positions  in  connection  with  the  International 
Federation,  Mr.  J.  Smethurst,  Secretary  of  the  Federation  of  Master 
Cotton  Spinners'  Associations,  and  Mr.  C.  Davidson,  Private  Secretary 
to  the  President.  These  gentlemen  had  rendered  valuable  services  to 
the  International  Federation,  and  these  services  were  all  the  more 
highly  valued  because  they  had  been  rendered  at  considerable  sacrifice- 
It  was  right  that  the  work  of  these  two  gentlemen  should  be  recognised 
when  the  Congress  was  dealing  with  the  question  of  appointing  a 
Permanent  Secretary.  Since  the  meeting  in  Paris,  last  October,  the 
Committee  had  been  looking  round  for  a  suitable  gentleman  for  the 
position,  and  they  found  the  task  more  difficult  than  they  had  expected. 
They  required  a  man  who  could  not  only  speali  English,  French  and 


28  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

German,  but  who  understood  those  languages  thoroughly  and  was 
able  to  write  them,  so  that  the  Federation  could  dispense  with  trans- 
lations by  outsiders  not  conversant  with  the  trade,  and  have  translations 
which  brought  out  the  happiest  expressions.  A  great  many  candidates 
had  presented  themselves  for  the  position,  and  the  Committee  had  found 
in  Manchester  a  gentleman  who,  they  believed,  was  the  right  man.  He 
was  Mr.  Arno  Schmidt,  a  German  who  had  become  a  naturalised 
Englishman.  The  members  of  the  Committee  saw  him  at  Brussels, 
and  they  were  of  opinion  that  in  Mr.  Schmidt  they  had  a  gentleman 
who  would  work  hard  and  do  his  best  for  the  Federation.  Herr  Syz 
concluded  by  moving  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Schmidt. 

Mr.  E.Travis  (England)  agreed  with  the  Chairman  that  the  question 
of  organisation  was  the  most  important  that  could  be  brought  before  the 
Congress.  They  could  not  be  successful  in  any  question  they  took  up, 
whether  it  were  damp  in  cotton,  the  metric  system,  or  cotton  corners, 
unless  they  acted  as  one  man.  He  spoke  with  some  experience  of 
organisation,  and  he  thought  they  would  have  to  begin  with  the  unit — 
the  individual  firm.  The  various  associations  in  a  country  would  have 
to  be  federated  as  they  were  in  England,  and  they  would  have  to  do 
the  work  with  the  assistance  of  the  Permanent  Secretary.  In  Oldham 
this  was  almost  a  personal  work.  Members  of  the  Committee  approached 
people  they  were  anxious  should  join  their  association,  and  they  would 
not  cease  exercising  their  persuasive  powers  until  their  efforts  succeeded 
or  they  found  that  success  was  impossible.  Only  lately  a  million 
spindles  were  added  to  the  Oldham  Association,  and  500,000  more  would 
be  added  shortly.  Still,  though  the  organisation  of  the  English  cotton 
trade  had  reached  a  high  standard,  there  were  still  twenty  per  cent,  of 
spindles  not  yet  in  line.  Their  ideal  should  be  to  get  every  firm  in  the 
trade  into  their  Associations. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Tattersall  (England)  said  so  far  as  England  was 
concerned  they  had  given  all  particulars  as  to  members,  spindleage  and 
looms,  and  he  had  been  given  to  understand  that  information  as  regards 
the  Continent  was  being  prepared  for  this  Congress. 

The  Chairman  said  steps  had  been  taken  to  prepare  certain  in- 
formation which  the  Committee  thought  was  necessary,  but  they  could 
not  obtain  all  the  particulars  they  required,  and  had  been  unable  to 
submit  a  full  statement.  One  of  the  reasons  which  induced  them  to  ask 
for  the  appointment  of  a  Permanent  Secretary  was  that  they  did  not 
think  this  great  work  could  be  done  by  voluntary  effort  alone.  It 
was  no  small  task  to  acquire  information  as  to  the  various  organi- 
sations that  were  in  existence.     They  had  at  that  Congress  delegates 


ORGANISATION    WORK  29 

from  25  diflferent  organisations  on  the  Continent,  and  the  rules  of  those 
organisations  would  have  to  be  studied  before  the  information  of  which 
Mr.  Tattersall  spoke  could  be  obtained.  Though  all  those  present  were 
willing  to  do  work  for  the  International  Federation,  they  could  not  devote 
the  time  that  was  necessary,  and  he  thought  Mr.  Tattersall  would  vote  for 
the  appointment  of  a  gentleman  to  do  this  work  for  them.  There  was 
an  organisation  in  nearly  every  country,  but  these  organisations  varied. 
In  some  cases  they  were  formed  to  deal  with  labour  questions,  and  were 
not  confined  to  spinners,  but  embraced  the  whole  trade.  In  Switzerland, 
Herr  Syz  was  the  President  of  an  organisation  which  covered  the 
whole  trade,  but  in  some  countries  spinners  had  formed  local  asso- 
ciations. In  Germany,  there  were  six  employers'  organisations,  which 
were  not  much  in  touch  with  one  another,  while  in  France  there  were 
three  different  organisations  of  spinners,  and  two  for  manufacturers. 
In  Austria,  which  was  a  much  smaller  country  as  regards  the  cotton 
industry,  there  were  two  organisations,  one  of  them  covering  nearly  all 
the  spinning  trade.  In  protected  countries  home  competition  would 
always  bring  prices  down,  and  in  those  countries  it  was  necessary,  if 
it  was  wished  to  enjoy  the  protection  of  the  tariffs,  to  have  some  arrange- 
ment amongst  spinners  about  prices.  Such  an  arrangement  as  that 
would  not  do  for  an  exporting  country,  where  spinners  could  not  make 
arrangements  amongst  themselves  about  prices.  There  were  other 
arrangements,  the  one  which  covered  insurance  for  example.  England 
had  had  difficulties  about  fire  insurance,  and  had  overcome  them,  but 
these  difficulties  had  not  yet  been  overcome  on  the  Continent,  and  there 
were  special  continental  organisations  to  deal  with  this  question.  It 
would  be  the  duty  of  a  Permanent  Secretary  to  study  all  these  associa- 
tions, to  try  to  show  how  they  could  be  brought  in  closer  touch  with  each 
other.  If  they  were  to  have  united  international  action,  they  would  then 
have  to  deal  with  eight  or  ten  representative  organisations,  instead  of 
with  twenty  or  thirty  which  did  not  cover  the  whole  trade. 

Mr.  E.  Stansfield  (England)  remarked  that  the  appointment  of  a 
Secretary,  who  would  be  very  largely  employed  in  moulding  and  shaping 
the  25  different  organisations  on  the  Continent — the  English  organ- 
isation being  so  complete  that  it  would  need  practically  little  assistance 
from  such  an  official — was  clearly  for  the  benefit  of  the  Continent. 
But  it  was  necessary  for  the  success  of  the  international  movement 
that  they  should  assist  the  smaller  organisations  on  the  Continent  to 
come  into  line ;  to  get  into  that  condition  which  would  enable  the  work 
to  proceed  more  smoothly. 

M.  Berger  seconded  the  resolution,  which  was  unanimously 
adopted. 


80  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

THE    HANDLING    OF    COTTON. 

The  Chairman  introduced  the  question  of  the  handling  of  cotton  and, 
referring  to  bagging,  said  on  the  Continent  it  was  doing  spinners  actual 
harm,  as  it  was  not  only  responsible  for  a  great  deal  of  waste  but  it  led 
to  a  large  quantity  of  cotton  being  spoilt.  Means  must  be  adopted  for 
getting  rid  of  these  grievances,  but  he  was  quite  sure  that  whatever 
alterations  took  place  would  not  come  from  the  American  cotton  sellers. 
The  spinner  should  be  the  man  to  say  "  I  don't  want  this  kind  of  bag- 
ging any  more."  The  question  of  "  no-mark  "  bales  also  caused  a  great 
deal  of  annoyance.  It  often  happened  that  you  could  not  read  the 
mark,  and  it  struck  him  as  being  strange  that  this  usually  happened 
with  the  worst  cotton. 

Mr.  H.  W.  Macalister  (England),  in  explaining  the  cause  of  "no- 
mark"  bales,  said  in  a  year  like  the  present,  when  there  was  so  much 
cotton  in  America,  a  large  proportion  of  the  crop  was  stored  practically 
uncovered  in  the  streets,  the  side  walks,  and  the  fields.  He  had  recently 
had  reason  to  look  into  the  rules  of  some  of  the  Exchanges  in  America, 
and  had  found  what  precautions  were  taken  to  protect  the  buyer  against 
the  cotton  being  damaged  in  transit.  In  the  process  of  transit  cotton  came 
by  railway,  and  a  large  proportion  also  came  by  steamer  down  the  Mis- 
sissippi. When  cotton  arrived,  as  it  had  been  doing  this  year,  in  such 
large  quantities  that  the  storage  was  not  sufficient  for  it,  some  of  it  had 
to  be  put  on  walks.  Although  the  rules  provided  that  the  cotton  should 
be  shedded,  and  underneath  it  a  piece  of  wood  placed  to  protect  it  from 
absorbing  moisture  in  the  event  of  rain,  a  large  proportion  was  damaged 
by  lying  in  water  or  being  rained  upon.  The  consequence  was  that  the 
bagging  became  rotten  and  the  marks  disappeared.  That  was  how  they 
came  to  get  "  no-mark  "  bales. 

Mr.  E.  Stansfield  said  there  was  room  for  great  improvement 
both  as  regards  the  bagging  and  marking  of  bales.  Probably  there  was 
no  commodity  in  the  world  which  was  so  badly  treated  as  cotton.  He 
had  felt  for  some  time  that  America  ought  to  do  what  was  done  in 
Egypt.  There  was  no  better  bale  in  the  world  than  the  Egyptian.  It 
was  stated  that  if  American  cotton  was  baled  in  the  same  way  as 
Egyptian,  the  fibre  would  be  damaged,  but  he  had  never  known 
Egyptian  cotton  to  be  damaged  by  pressure,  and  he  had  used  large 
quantities  of  it.  Neither  had  he  heard  of  East  Indian  cotton  being 
damaged  from  such  a  cause.  He  could  not  see  why  the  Americans 
could  not  alter  their  methods.  If  they  did  it  would  settle  ninety  per 
cent,  of  the  complaints  with  regard  to  damage  through  bad  baling.  If 
Egyptian  or  East  Indian  bales  were  left  in  the  open  very  little  damage 


THE  HANDLING   OF  COTTON  31 

resulted,  because  it  was  impossible  for  water  to  get  inside.  As  to  the 
markings  there  had  been  a  little  improvement,  some  of  the  merchants, 
or  factors,  or  dealers  having  adopted  a  metal  label. 

Baron  Canton i  said  he  would  like  to  know  what  steps  they  could 
take  to  enforce  their  views  on  this  subject.  Up  to  the  present  they  had 
not  found  a  way  of  getting  on  even  terms  with  the  people  who  had  the 
cotton,  and  dealt  with  it  just  as  they  pleased.  He  did  not  think  that  the 
Americans  would  be  greatly  impressed  with  an  expression  of  their 
views  in  regard  to  these  grievances.  The  users  of  cotton  must  adopt 
something  more  effective  than  that ;  they  must  either  be  willing  to  pay 
more  for  bales  that  were  packed  properly,  or  refuse  those  that  were  not 
packed  properly. 

Mr.  Macalister  pointed  out  that  America  was  a  very  large  country, 
and  that  the  bagging  system  there  was  not  organised  in  the  way  it 
was  in  Egj'pt.  It  was  only  fair  to  state  that  in  Egypt  there  was  only  a 
comparatively  small  area  in  which  cotton  was  ginned.  There  were 
certain  merchants  there  who  had  large  ginneries  dotted  over  the 
country,  and  all  the  cotton  came  to  them.  That  was  a  perfect  system. 
Further  than  that,  they  had  in  Egypt  what  they  had  not  in  America — 
all  the  most  perfect  appliances  for  bagging.  The  presses  in  America 
were  what  people  in  England  would  consider  crude,  and  they  were 
mostly  made  of  wood. 

The  Chairman,  in  reviewing  the  discussion,  said  they  were  agreed 
upon  the  desirableness  of  an  improvement  in  the  bagging  and  marking 
of  American  cotton.  Did  not  they  think  the  Congress  could  take  some 
practical  action  in  the  matter  ?  Could  they  not  approach  the  Cotton 
Exchanges  in  Liverpool  and  Bremen,  and  ask  them  to  make  a  rule  that 
cotton  was  only  tenderable  when  the  bales  bore  under  the  bands  metal 
labels  on  which  were  the  marks.  If  that  were  done  they  would  do 
away  with  the  no-mark  bales.  This  question  was  ripe  for  action,  but 
he  did  not  know  whether  the  same  could  be  said  in  regard  to  bagging. 

The  further  consideration  of  the  question  was  postponed. 

THE    POSITION    OF    THE    NETHERLANDS. 

M.  R.  A.  DE  MoNCHY,  Jr.  (Netherlands),  expressed  his  regret  that 
the  cotton  growers  of  the  Dutch  Colonies  were  not  present  at  the 
Zurich  Congress.  All  the  resolutions  adopted  on  that  occasion  had 
their  full  sympathy.  Since  coming  to  Manchester,  he  had  been  much 
impressed  by  the  importance  of  the  work  of  the  Congress,  and  on  his 
return  he  should  urge  his  fellow  employers  in  Holland  to  throw  them- 
selves much  more  heartily  into  the  work  of  international  organisation. 

The  sitting  was  then  adjourned  until  the  afternoon. 


32  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

The  Congress  reassembled  in  the  afternoon,  Herr  Kuffler  again 
presiding. 

The  Chairman  :  Your  Committee  met  after  this  morning's  sitting 
and  considered  the  question  of  the  Levy.  I  am  glad  to  say  that  they 
unanimously  decided  that  the  Levy  shall  be  reduced  by  one-half 
in  comparison  to  the  clauses  6  and  7.  The  Entrance  Fee,  including 
the  first  year's  Levy,  will  be  y^^  of  a  penny  per  spindle  instead 
of  Y§Tjd.,  and  a  farthing  instead  of  a  halfpenny  per  loom.  Next 
year  it  will  be  -j^d.  per  spindle  instead  of  x^o^.,  and  one-eighth 
of  a  penny  instead  of  a  farthing  per  loom.  One  more  important 
alteration,  to  paragraph  23,  has  been  unanimously  accepted  by  the 
Committee.  I  have  the  honour  to  move  the  adoption  of  these  altera- 
tions in  the  name  of  the  Committee. 

Mr.  H.  HiGSON  :  I  have  great  pleasure  in  seconding  the  resolution 
that  has  been  submitted  by  the  Chairman.  I  think  the  Committee 
have  done  an  extremely  wise  thing  in  reducing  this  Levy  by  one-half. 
Officials  in  connection  with  large  associations,  such  as  we  have  in 
Lancashire,  have  found  a  very  serious  difficulty  in  suggesting  that  a 
levy  of  the  amount  of  that  originally  fixed  should  be  paid  for  member- 
ship of  the  International  Federation.  They  recognise  that  sufficient 
money  is  in  hand,  and  is  likely  to  remain  in  hand,  to  defray  all  the 
legitimate  expenses  in  connection  with  this  organisation,  and  the  holding 
of  this  Congress  from  time  to  time  ;  at  the  same  time,  they  are  prepared 
to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  contribute  a  larger  sum  when  the 
Association  goes  further  into  its  work,  and  further  expenditure  is 
needed  to  bring  about  the  remedy  of  the  evils  attending  the  cotton  trade 
that  are  admitted  to  exist.  I  am  sure  we  shall  induce  other  associations 
to  join  us  in  time.  We  can  recommend  this  levy  to  the  Association  I 
represent  with  the  assurance  that  it  will  be  accepted.  One  point  more, 
I  should  like  it  to  be  understood  that  we  are  not  committed  to  a 
further  levy  of  one-eighth  of  a  penny  unless  the  funds  of  the  Inter- 
national Federation  necessitate  it.  We  have  a  strong  feeling  that 
unless  a  special  need  arises  for  an  unusual  expenditure  there  is  no 
useful  purpose  served  by  the  creation  of  a  large  reserve.  We  shall 
ourselves  be  in  readiness  to  contribute  to  the  necessities  of  the  organi- 
sation when  the  demand  is  made.  I  am  sure  we  are  acting  wisely  in 
adopting  this  resolution  to-day. 

Herr  C.  O.  Langen  (Germany) :  I  should  like  to  support  this 
motion.  I  think  this  is  a  compromise  which  is  entirely  fair  and  just, 
and  which  does  not  alter  the  present  Statutes  very  materially.  I  think 
the  solution  of  this  question  a  very  good  one,  and  I  should  like  to  urge 
the  acceptance  of  the  alteration. 


THE    LEVY  83 

Clauses  6,  7  and  28,  as  amended,  were  then  carried. 

The  Chairman  :  Now  that  we  have  succeeded  in  getting  over 
these  difficulties,  I  think  it  is  the  proper  time  to  move  the  adoption 
of  the  Statutes  as  a  whole.  They  have  been  before  you  and  amended, 
and  I  now  ask  you  to  agree  to  their  acceptance,  and  thus  put  the  coping 
stone  to  the  organisation  begun  in  Zurich  last  year. 

Mr.  J.  Derbyshire  seconded  the  resolution,  which  was  carried 
amid  cheering. 

After  some  remarks  by  Herr  Langen  with  reference  to  the 
Entrance  Fee  and  Levy  already  paid  by  Associations  affiliated  to  the 
International  Federation,  the  Chairman  congratulated  the  Congress 
upon  the  firm  establishment  of  their  international  organisation,  and 
then  moved  the  following  resolution : — 

"  That  all  Associations  which  have  paid  an  Entrance  Fee  on  the 
basis  of  Y^od.  per  spindle  and  a  halfpenny  per  loom  shall  not 
be  required  to  pay  a  Levy  for  1905." 

Herr  Syz  seconded  the  resolution,  which  was  carried. 

The  Chairman  mentioned  that  since  morning  the  Committee  had 
drafted  the  following  resolution : — 

"That  this,  the  Second  International  Congress  of  Representatives 
of  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Associations,  is  of  opinion  that  the 
baling  and  marking  of  American  cotton  is  at  present  performed 
in  an  unsatisfactory  manner,  involving  a  serious  loss  in  cotton ; 
it  therefore  urges  the  Committee  to  take  the  question  into 
consideration  with  a  view  to  some  action  being  taken  to  remedy 
the  grievance  complained  of." 

Mr.  T.  Henthorn  :  Would  you  like  this  meeting  to  express  its 
opinion  and  take  a  vote  in  a  formal  way,  or  ought  we  to  think  over  the 
matter  and  prepare  ourselves  for  another  meeting  ?  Personally,  I  want 
to  support  the  resolution  to  my  utmost.  I  think  the  Committee  have 
done  wisely  to  bring  up  such  a  resolution.  Of  course,  others  of  a 
stronger  character,  if  you  like,  can  follow. 

The  Chairman  :  I  think  the  matter  can  be  discussed  to-day,  but 
it  can  only  be  voted  upon  to-morrow. 

The  Chairman  went  on  to  say  that  they  had  discussed  that 
morning  the  different  regulations  for  the  handling  of  cotton,  and 
considered  the  grievances  that  were  felt  in  this  respect  by  the  cotton 
spinners  and  the  users  of  yam.  There  were  many  other  grievances, 
and  if  they  went  on  discussing  this  subject  they  would  have  many 
more  points  to  decide  upon.  He  hoped  they  would  have  ample  time 
to  go  on  with  the  subject. 


84  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Continuing,  the  Chairman  said :  I  see  in  the  programme  that 
the  whole  of  to-morrow  morning  will  be  devoted  to  discussing 
damp  in  cotton,  and  I  think  any  other  grievance  about  the  delivery 
of  raw  cotton  may  be  discussed.  If  you  will  allow  me,  I  should 
like  to  speak  a  few  words  about  the  regulations  of  the  purchase 
of  cotton.  When  I  was  preparing  for  this  meeting  I  thought  it  would 
not  be  necessary  to  speak  much  about  speculation  in  futures,  because 
we  have  had  suitable  prices  from  the  beginning  of  the  year  up  to  now, 
and  I  think  we  should  devote  all  our  time  to  the  other  part  of  the  regu- 
lations I  was  speaking  of.  Last  year,  when  cotton  had  reached  an 
extremely  high  price,  everyone  was  bound  to  find  means  to  get  a  better 
supply  of  cotton  and  to  get  the  price  down.  This  year  the  matter  has 
been  somewhat  otherwise.  There  is  enough  cotton,  and  not  much 
difficulty  in  buying  it. 

Every  grievance  connected  with  the  handling  of  cotton  should 
receive  full  consideration  now,  and  we  should  try  to  get  all  those  altera- 
tions in  the  handling  of  the  raw  material  which  we  could  not  get  when 
cotton  was  scarce.  But  speculators,  both  in  America  and  in  Egypt, 
show  that  they  can  make  disturbances  whether  the  crop  is  small  or  large, 
and  therefore  1  shall  recall  to  your  minds  the  remarks  I  made  last  year. 
You  will,  I  trust,  excuse  me  if  I  repeat  myself.  Such  a  matter  cannot  be 
dealt  with  in  one  year,  or  even  m  two  years.  When  talking  of  cotton,  one 
is  nearly  always  compelled  to  talk  on  this  matter,  and  the  oftener  we 
talk  about  it  the  clearer  our  views  will  get.  The  greatest  difficulty  is 
not  the  price  itself,  but  the  great  differences  in  price  that  do  not  naturally 
follow  the  laws  of  supply  and  demand,  but  are  governed  by  the  uncon- 
trollable action  of  individuals,  and  I  think  if  we  are  going  to  do 
anything  to  guarantee  satisfactory  business  we  must  start  from  this 
point. 

It  must  be  admitted  that  one  or  two  men  can,  and  do,  disturb  the 
whole  business,  but  why  can  they  do  it  ?  They  cannot  do  it  in  any 
other  commodity.  And  yet,  we  who  know  our  trade,  who  understand 
cotton,  who  invest  money  in  our  industry,  must  abide  by  such  unfair 
dealings.  We  must  go  back  to  the  origin  of  the  "  future  "  business.  The 
difficulty  does  not  lie  in  the  selling  of  the  cotton  for  future  delivery. 
Cotton  must  be  sold  for  future  delivery,  the  same  as  any  other  com- 
modity.    It  is  in  the  paper  contracts  where  the  whole  difficulty  arises. 

We  must  acknowledge  that  the  business  of  futures  is  necessary 
for  the  market  at  present.  It  became  necessary  because  the  American 
crop  grew  larger  every  year  and  men  cannot  handle  large  crops  with- 
out getting  some  cover  for  them.  It  would  be  all  right  if  such  cover 
was  found  amongst   the   trade  itself :    the  future  market   was  really 


THE    PURCHASE    OF    COTTON  35 

intended  for  that.  But  the  trade  did  not  always  furnish  sufficient  oppor- 
tunity for  the  cover  desired  and  therefore  the  outside  speculator  was 
drawn  into  the  market.  This  constitutes  an  element  that  does  not  act 
according  to  the  rules  of  supply  and  demand  but  according  to  sentiment, 
and  is  led  by  any  man  who  is  bold  enough  to  assume  the  leadership. 
These  leaders,  who  have  usually  very  little  money  of  their  own  to  lose, 
create  the  disturbance  in  prices,  and  will  go  on  creating  them,  so  long 
as  they  are  allowed.  They  only  live  by  disturbing  the  market.  They 
must  see  whether  there  was  any  possibility  of  coping  with  such  a  diffi- 
culty. Last  year  he  said  that  the  only  real  way  of  fighting  gambling  in 
cotton — he  did  not  mean  legitimate  business — was  to  have  a  large  stock 
of  cotton  in  hand,  but  he  was  told  it  was  not  possible  in  practice,  as  the 
risk  was  too  great.  He  still  held,  however,  that  if  every  mill  connected 
with  the  International  Federation  would  guarantee  to  take  over  fifty  or 
a  hundred  bales  of  cotton  for  every  10,000  spindles  at  an  average  price 
they  would  not  have  to  hoard  up  futures  as  a  cover.  As  long  as  they 
dealt  with  futures  they  could  not  do  away  with  gambling.  He  did  not 
think  they  even  wanted  control  of  a  million  or  half  a  million  bales 
of  cotton  to  safeguard  themselves.  He  thought  it  would  be  enough  if 
they  secured  200,000  bales.  He  could  not  see  any  way  of  effectually 
dealing  with  gambling  unless  they  had  a  certain  amount  of  cotton  in 
hand  to  tender.  As  long  as  the  speculator  took  the  risk  of  paper  con- 
tracts he  was  the  master  of  the  market.  No  single  sane  person  would 
have  dealt  with  250,000  actual  bales,  but  speculators  in  America  did 
not  think  much  of  250,000  paper  contracts,  and  as  long  as  they  held  these 
paper  contracts  they  ruled  the  market.  Whom  would  they  trust  to  do 
business  for  them  ?  Would  it  be  a  big  gamble  in  the  name  of  all  the 
spinners  ?  He  did  not  think  so.  He  understood  that  the  organisation  was 
not  so  complete  now  as  to  have  one  man  or  body  of  men  who  could  be 
trusted  by  the  world.  But  the  organisation  would  grow,  and  surely  it 
would  be  possible  to  find  honest  men  w^ho  could  be  trusted  with  such  a 
responsibility.  These  were  matters  for  future  consideration.  What 
he  submitted  was  that  if  they  wanted  to  do  away  with  gambling  they 
must  hold  a  certain  amount  of  cotton  themselves. 

He  had  another  suggestion  to  make  to  them.  There  was  one 
thing  which  he  thought  could  be  done  at  once.  A  great  help  in 
fighting  the  gambling  of  speculators  was  a  good  knowledge  of  the 
conditions  of  the  market.  One  of  the  best  things  the  syndicate  he 
had  spoken  of  could  do  would  be  to  send  out  literature,  and  give 
information  for  the  benefit  of  the  spinner  about  the  state  of  the 
crop,  the  size  of  the  crop,  and  the  market.  There  were  plenty  of 
people  who  had  no   other  source  of  information  than  the  American 


86  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

information.  They  believed  Sully,  and  they  played  his  game  for  him. 
Since  the  reports  of  the  American  bureau  had  become  more  trustworthy, 
the  operations  of  the  speculators  had  been  more  difficult.  They  had 
derived  their  information  from  officials  of  the  bureau,  and  he  thought 
no  better  information  could  be  obtained.  The  American  statistics  had 
improved  year  by  year.  Five  or  ten  years  ago  no  one  believed  the 
bureau  reports.  No  one  wondered  w^hen  the  estimate  of  the  American 
bureau  was  two  or  three  million  bales  out.  In  the  last  few  years 
these  estimates  proved  nearest  to  ultimate  results.  Could  they  not  on 
this  side  follow  the  excellent  example  in  making  statistics  on  consump- 
tion, or  would  they  continue  to  rely  on  the  estimates  of  the 
speculators  ? 

The  work  he  suggested  could  be  done  by  the  International  Federa- 
tion. They  could  issue  question  forms  to  every  member  of  the 
Federation  and  ask  him  how  much  cotton  he  had  in  stock,  how  much 
cotton  he  had  to  receive  on  contracts,  and  how  much  he  wanted  for  the 
next  six  months.  The  inquiries  and  replies  could  be  strictly  private. 
He  could  sympathise  with  the  view  that  they  would  not  like  others  to 
know  how  much  cotton  any  individual  spinner  had  in  hand.  The 
inquiries  could  be  conducted  privately  however,  and  only  a  summary 
published.  They  had  had  such  an  arrangement  in  his  country  for 
twelve  years  now,  and  it  worked  very  well.  The  forms  were  num- 
bered ;  no  names  transpired.  They  must  not  give  the  totals  of  each 
separate  country,  but  the  summary  of  all  countries  in  the  Federation, 
and  then  they  could  say  with  a  certain  degree  of  correctness  how  much 
cotton  was  in  stock  on  any  given  date  in  Europe.  This,  in  connection 
with  the  American  statistics,  Avould  give  them  a  perfectly  clear  view 
of  the  market,  and  he  did  not  think  that  the  American  cotton  gamblers 
would  be  able  to  play  tricks  on  them  if  they  had  this  knowledge. 

He  did  not  think  the  returns  could  harm  anyone.  The  publication 
of  the  American  statistics  did  not  do  the  trade  any  harm.  The  more 
correct  the  statistics,  the  more  they  would  help  the  trade,  and  the  better 
equipped  they  would  be  to  deal  with  the  cotton  gambling  curse.  They 
could  then  leave  the  "future"  market  altogether  to  the  speculators.  He 
did  not  see  why  his  trade  should  be  disturbed  because  another  man 
wanted  to  gamble,  and  therefore  he  thought  it  high  time  to  take  action 
in  some  such  direction  as  he  had  indicated.  He  did  not  want  to  move  the 
adoption  of  any  resolution,  he  only  intended  to  give  his  idea  on  the 
matter,  but  he  hoped,  as  they  were  in  the  heart  of  the  cotton  industry 
of  Europe  and  of  the  world,  where  many  trade  difficulties  had  been 
overcome,  that  there  would  be  found  a  way  of  meeting  their  present 
difficulties.     They  also  looked  to  British  pluck  and  energy,  that  over- 


THE    PURCHASE    OF    COTTON  87 

came  difficulties  which  arose  against  the  industry  in  former  years,  to 
fight  against  the  present  evils  that  disturbed  their  trade  and  did  harm 
to  the  industry  they  had  built  up.  The  cotton  industry  was  now 
spread  over  the  whole  world,  and  was  not,  as  in  former  years,  merely 
a  Lancashire  interest ;  but  he  felt  sure  if  Lancashire  would  only  take 
the  lead,  the  rest  will  follow.  It  was  only  necessary  to  make  these 
matters  clear,  and  everyone  connected  with  the  trade  would  co-operate 
in  taking  such  steps  as  were  necessary  to  do  away  with  this  outside 
gambling,  and  with  every  difficulty  that  arose  from  any  illegitimate 
source  whatever. 

Mr.  A.  H.  Dixon  said  he  was  afraid  it  was  not  possible  for  all  the 
Chairman  had  advocated  to  be  attained,  but  he  thought  it  was  in  the 
power  of  that  International  Committee  to  do  some  real  good  for  the 
industry.  The  question  of  "  futures  "  was  one  that  had  two  sides — 
one  side  the  gambling  side,  and  the  other  the  side  that  was  necessary, 
not  only  to  the  cotton  spinner,  but  to  the  people  in  Alexandria  and 
New  York.  Speaking  only  of  Alexandria,  because  that  was  the  market 
of  which  he  had  the  most  experience,  he  would  say  that  the  regula- 
tions in  that  market  were  the  most  to  blame  for  the  disasters  that  had 
happened  in  past  years. 

If  they  would  allow  him  he  would  explain  what  he  believed  to  be 
the  great  difficulties,  and  afterwards  what  he  believed  to  be  the  right 
way  of  dealing  with  them.  To  begin  with,  the  tendering  was  much  too 
high  and  too  restricted.  Moreover,  they  absolutely  refused  to  accept 
pressed  bales.  When  he  was  in  Egypt  a  year  ago  he  asked  the  reason, 
and  was  told  that  the  market  would  not  accept  pressed  bales  because 
they  were  afraid  of  bale  packing.  They  said  that  they  had  to  deal  with 
certain  people  in  Alexandria  who  might  not  have  the  same  high  sense 
of  honour  as  the  merchant  had,  and  owing  to  bale  packing  they 
could  not  accept  these  bales.  The  tenders  were  simply  a  premium  to 
the  gambler,  and  they  were  a  menace  and  hindrance  to  the  legitimate 
trader.  He  was  aware  that  at  this  moment  in  Alexandria  this 
question  was  very  much  in  evidence.  The  remedy  lay  with  the 
Alexandria  Produce  Association,  and  his  suggestion  was  that  the  Inter- 
national Committee  should  draw  up  a  special  recommendation  to  the 
Alexandria  Produce  Association  asking  them  as  far  as  possible  to 
alter  their  regulations  so  as  to  be  of  assistance  to  the  trader  who  wished 
to  cover  his  stock  or  buy  futures,  and  put  a  stop  to  the  operations  of 
the  gambler.  Monte  Carlo  was  the  proper  place  for  the  gambler.  He 
thought  the  discussion  in  so  representative  a  Congress  would  result  in 
much  good  being  accomplished. 


88  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

M.  le  Blanc  (Comite  fran^ais  de  la  filature  de  Coton,  Groupe  du 
Nord),  read  the  following  paper : — 

The  market  of  Alexandria  has  now  for  several  years  been  attracting 
the  attention  of  the  cotton  world  by  the  violent  fluctuations  which  take 
place  in  it,  and  which  render  transactions  very  difficult  in  the  nature  of 
regular  trade  in  that  place,  outside  those  induced  by  a  speculative  spirit. 

At  all  times,  shipping  merchants  or  spinners,  who  are  desirous  of 
laying  in  a  supply  of  good  cotton,  have  been  obliged  to  make  their 
purchases  during  the  arrivals  of  the  first  crop,  in  October,  November 
and  December.  But  to  do  that  one  is  obliged  to  buy  without  taking 
into  account  the  rates  which  are  ruling,  without  concerning  oneself 
whether  they  are  in  relation  or  not  to  those  of  the  manufactured  products, 
without  troubling  oneself  whether  they  are  likely  to  rise  or  fall  in  the 
future. 

One  must,  therefore,  think  of  guarding  against  a  future  drop, 
against  an  absence  of  demand  on  the  part  of  spinners,  if  the  question 
be  of  a  merchant,  against  underselling  of  yarn,  when  a  spinner  is  con- 
cerned; for  it  is  impossible,  both  for  the  one  and  the  other,  to  run  the 
risk,  sometimes  formidable,  of  a  drop  in  prices;  and  to  attain  this  end, 
there  is  an  operation  which  is  quite  rational  and  which  has  been  now 
for  many  years  in  practice  for  American  cotton,  it  is  by  a  term-bargain 
or  dealing  in  "futures." 

This  is  an  operation  which  can  easily  be  done  in  the  Alexandrian 
market,  in  which  there  exists  what  is  called  a  contract-market. 

The  spinner  is  thus  able  to  secure  his  supply,  and  to  guarantee 
himself  against  a  possible  drop  in  selling  in  the  market  of  Alexandria 
the  counterpart  of  his  purchases  of  raw  cotton  which  are  not  sold  in 
yarn,  and,  on  doing  this,  he  leaves  in  store  at  Alexandria  the  cotton 
which  is  delivered  to  him  in  steam-pressed  bales  to  wait  until  the  day 
when  he  Vv'ill  redeem  his  contracts  and  get  his  cotton  sent  to  him. 

All  would  go  well  if  the  consumption  took  place  according  to  the 
forecast  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  but  for  one  cause  or  another, 
fire,  breakdown,  stoppage  through  accident,  through  strike  or  short  time, 
transformation  of  the  demand  through  its  turning  in  the  direction  of 
other  kinds  of  goods,  this  supply  becomes  useless  and  an  attempt  must 
be  made  to  realise  it. 

Let  him  deliver  his  cotton  to  feed  his  sale,  you  will  tell  me;  indeed, 
this  is  very  easy  to  say,  and,  if  we  were  at  New  York,  at  Liverpool  or 
at  Havre,  it  would  be  almost  as  easy  to  do.  But  such  is  not  the  case 
at  Alexandria,  where  cotton  can  only  be  delivered  against  the  sale  of 
contracts  if  this  cotton  has  not  been  steam-pressed,  and  if  it  remains 
within  the  too  narrow  limits  of  the  qualities  admitted  in  deliveries  of 
contracts. 

Here,  then,  we  have  our  spinner,  a  seller  of  contracts  and  a  holder 
of  a  like  quantity  of  goods,  unable  to  make  use  of  these  goods  to  feed 
or  meet  his  sales,  and  obliged  to  seek  a  buyer  for  his  actual  cotton  and 
to  re-buy  himself  his  contracts,  thus  passing  under  the  Caudine  Forks 
of  the  speculators. 

The  latter,  indeed,  are  not  without  knowledge  of  the  composition 
of  the  crop,  they  know  that  in  a  crop  of  G,000,000  cantars,  like  that  of 
1904-1905,  the  following  estimate  can  be  made: — 


THE    PURCHASE    OF    COTTON  yO 

The  production  of  Upper-Egypt     1,000,000 crs. 

That  of  Joannovich  and  Abbassi     800,000  crs. 

And  that  of  Metafifi  4,200,000  crs. 

They  know  that  of  the  4,200,000  crs.  Metafifi  there  are  about 
1,200,000  crs.  of  quahties  below  Good  Fair,  and  that  of  the  8,000,000  crs. 
which  remain,  it  is  necessary  to  take  into  account  everything  which  is 
sold  in  the  spinning  trade  and  forwarded  in  the  first  months  of  the  year, 
and  cottons  superior  to  Good  to  Fine  which  are  only  delivered  in 
exceptional  cases  against  contracts. 

They  have  taken  into  account  the  quantities  pressed  by  steam 
which  figure  in  the  stock,  and  the  proportion  of  cotton  not  deliverable, 
such  as  inferior  cottons.  Upper- Egypt  or  other  kinds,  and  they  have 
for  a  long  time  occupied  themselves  with  the  purchases,  knowing  per- 
fectly well  that  their  buyers  of  that  time  would  be  compelled  to  become 
their  purchasers  of  to-day  and  that  they  could  strangle  them  at 
their  ease. 

\\'hat  has  happened  in  May  is  a  new  proof.  Of  a  stock  of  about 
1,400,000  crs.  at  Alexandria,  200,000  to  250,000  only  could  be  delivered 
to  meet  contracts;  now  this  quantity  should  represent  almost  the  total 
of  the  Metafifi  cottons  in  hydraulic  bales,  of  deliverable  classifications. 

The  speculators  who  are  at  present  holders  of  these  cottons  are, 
therefore,  until  the  next  crop,  absolute  masters  of  the  market,  and  it 
does  not  appear  doubtful  that  they  will  lose  the  power,  which  the  defec- 
tive conditions  of  the  Alexandrian  market  have  allowed  them,  in  order 
to  secure  themselves,  without  troubling  themselves  about  the  conside- 
rable damage  they  will  cause  cotton  spinners  in  Egypt. 

That  is  a  situation  that  should  be  put  an  end  to  in  the  interest  of 
regular  business,  and  it  is  with  this  aim  that  we  put  on  record  the 
following  suggestion : — 

The  delivery  of  steam-pressed  bales  shall  at  least  be  authorised 
under  the  same  heading  as  cotton  in  bags. 

That  the  standard  of  cotton  to  be  delivered  against  sales  of 
contracts  should  be  extended. 

That  under  the  category  of  deliverable  cottons,  those  of  the  cottons 
of  Upper  Egypt  shall  be  brought,  which  can  be  assimilated 
to  the  cottons  of  the  Delta,  otherwise  a  penalty  proportional 
to  the  difference  in  quality  shall  be  stipulated. 

M.  JuLiEN  le  Blanc  added :  We  would  urge  the  English  Delegates 
to  appeal  to  their  Government  to  take  steps  to  put  an  end  to  a  specula- 
tion which  is  productive  of  a  deplorable  condition  of  affairs  to  the 
entire  Egyptian  branch  of  the  cotton  industry. 

Mr.  E.  Stansfield  said  that  for  Alexandria  speculators  to 
exclude  pressed  bales  that  could  not  be  tendered  against  contracts 
was  ridiculous.  With  regard  to  gambling,  he  thought  outsiders  should 
have  nothing  to  do  with  the  cotton  trade  except  indirectly.  Then  there 
would  be  less  gambling  in  cotton.  Another  point  was,  at  present,  if  a 
person  did  not  complete  his  sale  of  cotton  on  the  stipulated  date,  a 
penalty  of  a  halfpenny  per  pound  was  put  on.     That  was  unjust,  and 


40  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

should  be  abolished  in  the  futures  market.  The  real  remedy,  he 
thought,  was  to  increase  the  area  of  production.  When  cotton  was 
grown  universally,  such  supplies  would  be  available  that  no  one  could 
run  up  cotton  from  fivepence  to  ninepence.  He  hoped  the  British 
Cotton  Growing  Association  would  continue  to  advance,  because  its 
progress  would  be  to  the  advantage  of  the  whole  world. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Byrom  (England)  said  he  thought  a  great  deal  of  in- 
equality would  be  done  away  with  if  the  area  from  which  their  arbi- 
trators were  drawn  was  increased.  He  did  not  believe  they  would 
ever  get  what  they  wanted  in  the  case  of  arbitrations  so  long  as  in 
Liverpool  no  one  was  allowed  to  arbitrate  unless  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Cotton  Association.  Why  should  not  a  spinner  be  called  in  to 
arbitrate  between  a  merchant  and  a  spinner  ?  To  make  the  arbitrations 
fair  was  an  important  matter,  and  might  be  added  to  the  suggestions 
they  had  had  that  afternoon. 

M.  Ernst  Lang  (Switzerland) :  I  am  informed  by  the  firm  of 
Mohr  &  Fenderl  that,  beginning  with  next  season,  Upper  Egypt  cotton 
will  be  ready  for  delivery  on  contracts  for  Egyptian  cotton.  This 
decision  of  the  Alexandria  Committee  was  taken  on  the  initiative  of 
M.  Fenderl. 

Mr.  Samuel  S.  Dale  (United  States)  continued  the  discussion, 
and  then  read  the  following  paper : — 

The  cotton  industry  includes  every  operation  from  planting  the 
seed  to  making  the  garment.  All  branches  are  bound  together,  and 
while  one  may  for  a  time  prosper  at  the  expense  of  the  other,  in  the 
long  run  all  stand  or  fall  together.  It  may  be  that  our  nearness  to  the 
cotton  fields  has  made  us  realise  a  little  more  clearly  the  community  of 
interest  between  planter  and  manufacturer,  but  the  spinners  of  all 
countries  have  grown  to  look  upon  the  cargoes  of  cotton  that  come  to 
their  mills  as  upon  the  rain  that  falls  from  the  heavens.  It  is,  however, 
the  finished  product  of  the  planter,  as  yarn  is  that  of  the  spinner  ;  cloth, 
that  of  the  weaver. 

It  is  customary  to  ascribe  the  scarcity  of  cotton  last  year  to  a  short 
supply,  but  the  fact  is,  it  was  due  rather  to  an  excessive  consumption 
by  the  mills.  The  spinners  in  all  countries  had  gone  on,  year  after  year, 
building  cotton  mills  without  a  thought  of  how  they  were  to  be  supplied 
with  cotton.  A  demand  in  excess  of  the  supply  sent  cotton  to  15  cents 
a  pound,  and  prices  as  high  or  even  higher  will  again  result  under  like 
conditions.  The  remedy  is,  to  use  less  or  produce  more.  To  use  less 
means  to  stop  civilisation.  The  only  reasonable  remedy  is  to  produce 
more.    How  is  this  to  be  done  ? 

Nothing  is  easier  than  to  predict  the  limit  of  the  American  cotton 
crop,  unless  it  is  in  being  wrong  in  such  predictions.  A  year  ago  it  was 
predicted  that  America  had  reached  her  limit  of  production,  but  the 
Southern  planter  took  off  his  coat,  rolled  up  his  sleeves  and  gave  the 


THE    PURCHASE    OF    COTTON  41 

world  more  cotton  last  season  than  was  grown  in  the  whole  world  seven 
years  ago.  Instead  of  prophesying  I  want  to  call  your  attention  to  some 
facts.  The  cotton  belt  of  the  South  has  an  area  of  650,000  square 
miles,  almost  as  large  as  France,  Germany,  and  Austria- Hungary 
combined,  and  yet  the  area  under  cultivation  is  but  one-third  the  size  of 
Prussia. 

So  far  as  is  known,  nature  has  created  no  better  conditions  for 
raising  cotton  than  in  the  Southern  States.  There  are  vast  tracts  of 
rich  land,  the  required  amount  of  rainfall  to  water  the  ground,  the 
proper  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air,  and  sunshine  to  give  the  light 
and  heat  required  in  the  growing  season.  There  may  be  a  limit  to  the 
cotton  raising  possibilities  of  the  South,  but  it  is  not  yet  in  sight.  All 
that  is  necessary  is  strong  arms  and  willing  hands  to  plant  the  seed  and 
gather  the  crop. 

To  the  spinners  of  Europe  it  makes  no  diflference  where  their  cotton 
is  grown,  so  long  as  they  get  enough  of  it.  As  well  in  Texas  as  in 
Togo ;  in  Mississippi  as  in  Madagascar ;  in  Louisiana  as  in  Lagos. 
This  thought  of  danger  in  a  cotton  supply  from  America,  simply  be- 
cause it  is  from  America,  is  an  economic  fallacy.  It  may  surprise  you 
to  know  that  Lancashire  is  nearer  to  Texas  than  is  Massachusetts. 
Just  before  I  left  Boston  the  freight  on  cotton  from  Texas  ports  to 
Manchester  Avas  95  cents  per  hundred,  and  to  New  England  $1.00  to 
to  $1.10  per  hundred.  Any  material  change  in  these  conditions  is  made 
practically  impossible  by  the  greatest  free  trade  document  in  existence, 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  forbids  duties  on  exports. 

Labour  is  scarce  in  the  South,  but  plentiful  in  Europe.  The 
population  of  the  entire  cotton  belt  is  but  15,000,000  less  than  that  of 
Switzerland,  Holland  and  Belgium.  The  great  need  of  the  South  is 
more  people.  A  million  emigrants  a  year  are  leaving  Europe  for  the 
United  States,  and  yet  not  five  thousand  of  them  reach  the  South 
where  labour  is  needed  to  supply  Europe  with  cotton.  They  crowd 
into  the  already  overcrowded  cities  of  the  North,  when  they  might 
become  prosperous  and  independent  planters  in  the  South.  The  bare 
statement  of  this  condition  points  to  the  solution  of  the  cotton  problem. 
When  the  cotton  spindles  do  not  supply  the  looms  you  build  more 
spinning  mills.  When  the  cotton  fields  do  not  supply  the  spindles  the 
remedy  lies  in  sending  your  surplus  labour  into  the  fields  to  raise  cotton. 

It  is  the  duty  of  cotton  spinners  to  convert  cotton  into  yam  along 
the  line  of  least  resistance.  You  do  this  when  you  build  a  mill  in  the 
most  favourable  location,  equip  it  with  the  most  improved  labour-saving 
machinery  and  processes,  and  run  it  at  the  highest  efficiency.  You  buy 
in  the  cheapest  market  and  sell  in  the  dearest.  When  all  that  has 
been  done  you  have  discharged  your  responsibility  to  your  stockholders, 
to  society  and  to  yourself. 

The  same  policy  must  be  followed  in  the  production  of  cotton,  and 
the  cotton  producing  capacity  of  the  South  is  so  far  from  exhaustion 
that  efforts  to  promote  cotton  raising  in  other  countries  under  unfavour- 
able conditions  must  be  classed  as  experiments  for  the  benefit  of  some 
remote  posterity  using  cotton  at  thirty  cents  a  pound. 

The  cotton  supply  may  be  classed  with  the  coal  and  iron  supply 
as  involving  problems  of  direct  concern  to  the  consumer  of  the  distant 
future.  The  burden  of  their  investigation  and  solution  should  be  borne 
by  the  State,  not  by  the  cotton  trade  of  to-day. 


42  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

The  spinners  of  America  have  as  much  interest  as  those  of  Europe 
in  promoting  cotton  cultivation  in  Africa,  and  in  both  cases  the  interest 
is  too  remote  to  be  classed  as  practical. 

It  may  be  worth  while  to  experiment  with  the  growing  of  cotton  in 
unfavourable  climates ;  to  introduce  artificial  irrigation ;  to  build  rail- 
roads into  the  interior  of  Africa ;  to  distribute  free  seed  and  farming 
tools  to  the  natives ;  to  hire  experts  to  teach  them  how  to  till  the  soil ; 
to  guarantee  them  a  minimum  price  for  their  cotton  ;  to  instal  ginneries 
and  presses ;  to  secure  reduced  freight  rates  from  the  steamship  com- 
panies ;  to  spin  the  product  separately  into  yarn  and  weave  it  into  cloth 
to  determine  its  commercial  value,  but  let  all  these  things  be  done  as 
scientific  experiments  and  the  expense  be  borne  by  the  State  in  behalf 
of  a  remote  posterity,  while  the  spinners  supply  their  mills  from  the 
South  where  cotton  is  grown  at  the  lowest  cost.  The  fear  sometimes 
expressed  that  the  United  States  will  use  the  entire  American  crop  is 
wholly  imaginary.  With  free  trade  in  cotton,  the  world's  cotton  crop 
belongs  to  those  who  will  pay  the  highest  price.  An  increase  of  the 
supply  benefits  alike  the  spinners  of  Old  England  and  New  England, 
whether  it  comes  from  Carolina  or  anywhere  else. 

Increasing  the  labour  supply  of  the  South  will  not  only  give  the 
manufacturers  plenty  of  good  cotton,  but  it  will  also  reduce  the  evils  of 
speculation.  The  American  spinner  has  the  same  interest  as  the 
European  manufacturer  in  preventing  violent  and  artificial  fluctuations 
and  the  cornering  of  the  supply.  To  eliminate  speculation  entirely  is 
impossible.  We  are  all  speculators,  and  the  cotton  crop  offers  unex- 
celled opportunities  for  the  exercise  of  the  gambling  instinct,  which  is 
part  of  human  nature.  The  cotton  crop  is  worth  untold  millions  and 
the  possibilities  of  gain  from  successful  speculation  are  unlimited.  The 
size  of  this  crop  is  dependent  upon  a  combination  of  many  circumstances 
that  vary  from  day  to  day,  even  from  hour  to  hour.  It  depends  on  the 
approach  of  spring  time,  on  the  sunshine  and  the  rainfall,  on  the  ravages 
of  insects  and  frosts  in  the  fall,  on  the  labour  supply,  the  demand  for 
goods,  wars  and  rumours  of  wars,  and  until  human  nature  is  changed  the 
cotton  speculator  will  be  with  us.  The  evils  of  speculation  can  be  prac- 
ticaly  eliminated,  however,  by  increasing  the  supply  of  cotton  from  the 
South,  and  Europeans  have  that  remedy  in  their  own  hands. 

The  warehousing  of  cotton  has  been  proposed  as  a  means  of 
equalising  the  supply  and  the  price  of  cotton.  This  plan  has  recently 
been  worked  out  in  detail  by  Mr.  D.  A.  Tompkins,  of  Charlotte,  S.C., 
a  copy  of  whose  circular  on  the  subject  I  have  here.  The  success  of 
of  such  a  plan  depends  upon  the  co-operation  of  the  spinners,  in  gaining 
their  confidence  in  the  reliability  of  the  certificate  that  may  represent 
the  quantity  and  quality  of  cotton  at  some  distant  point,  and  it  is  for 
this  reason  that  your  careful  consideration  of  the  plan  is  desirable.  A 
plan  to  improve  the  methods  of  marketing  cotton  would  naturally  include 
the  improvement  in  packing  it  for  market,  and  here  again  the  interests  of 
European  and  American  spinners  are  alike. 

The  Chairman  then  moved  the  adjournment  of  the  sitting,  which 
was  at  once  agreed  to. 


43 


THIRD    DAY'S    PROCEEDINGS, 

WEDNESDAY,   JUNE   7th. 
Chairman:   Baron    COSTANZO   CANTONI. 

The  Congress  resumed  its  sittings  on  Wednesday  morning,  June 
7th,  Baron  Costanzo  Canton i  (Italy)  presiding. 

The  Chairman,  after  thanking  the  Congress  for  the  honour  paid 
to  him  by  his  selection  to  preside  that  day,  said  he  wished  to  take  that 
opportunity  of  saying  that  during  the  whole  time,  about  three  years, 
the  English  spinners  and  manufacturers  and  the  English  operatives 
had  been  suffering  from  the  necessity  of  short  time,  he  had  felt  the 
utmost  sympathy  with  them.  He  congratulated  the  English  spinners 
of  American  cotton  on  the  improved  conditions  of  business,  and 
expressed  the  hope  that  the  Egyptian  section  of  the  trade  would  soon 
be  equally  favoured. 

The  Secretary  (Mr.  John  Smethurst)  read  the  Minutes  of 
Tuesday's  proceedings. 

The  Minutes  were  adopted  as  read,  on  the  proposition  of  the 
Chairman,  seconded  by  Mr.  J.  Derbyshire  (England). 

DAMP    IN    COTTON. 

Mr.  H.  W.   Macalister  read  a   paper   on  "  Damp  in  Cotton," 

prepared  by  the  Cotton  Committee  of  the  Federation  of  Master  Cotton 

Spinners'  Associations,  as  follows  : — 

During  comparatively  recent  years  the  minds  of  cotton  spinners 
have  been  considerably  exercised  by  the  question  of  Damp  in  Cotton, 
but  as  long  ago  as  January,  1889,  we  find  that  the  United  Cotton 
Spinners  of  that  date  passed  the  following  resolution  : — 

"  That  in  conformity  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Damp 
in  Cotton  Committee,  a  levy  be  made  upon  the  trade  at  the  rate 
of  sixpence  per  1,000  spindles,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  a 
Court  of  Law  some  suitable  case  of  excessive  damp,  and  testing 
as  to  the  right  of  Cotton  Spinners  to  recover  damages  in  such 
case." 

At  the  commencement  of  the  current  cotton  season,  so  many 
serious  complaints  were  brought  before  the  Council  of  the  Federation 
of  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Associations,  that  a  Cotton  Committee  was 
appointed  to  enquire  into  the  subject,  with  a  view  to  devising  means 
to  put  a  stop  to  this  very  serious  evil. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  some  of  the  more  serious  cases  of  excess 
moisture  which  have  been  examined  and  reported  upon  by  the  Man- 
chester Chamber  of  Commerce  Testing  House : — 


44  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Damp  in  Cotton. 


1 

2 

8 

Total  moisture 

13-25% 

15-40% 

11-43% 

Absolutely  dry  weight 

86-75% 

84-60% 

88-57% 

Regain  at  8^%       

7-37% 

7-19% 

7-53% 

Correct  invoice  weight     ... 

94-12% 

91-79% 

96-10% 

Excess  moisture    ... 

5-88% 

8-21% 

3-90^^ 

Total  moisture 

4 

14-71% 

5 
15-00% 

6 

12-28% 

Absolutely  dry  weight 

85-29% 

85-00% 

87-72% 

Regain  at  8^%       

7-25% 

7-22% 

7-45% 

Correct  invoice  weight     ... 

92-54% 

92-22% 

95-17% 

Excess  moisture  ... 

7-46% 

7-78% 

4-83% 

7 

8 

9 

Total  moisture 

13-33% 

10-60% 

15-50% 

Absolutely  dry  weight 

86-67% 

89-40% 

84-50% 

Regain  at  8^%       

7-36% 

7-60% 

7-18% 

Correct  invoice  weight     ... 

94-03% 

97-00% 

91-68% 

Excess  moisture  ... 

5-97% 

3-00% 

8-32% 

A  communication  has  also  been  received  from  a  firm  in  Italy, 
through  the  Secretary  of  the  Manchester  Cotton  Association,  stating 
that  a  lot  of  100  bales  of  American  cotton  imported  via  Genoa,  which 
the  seller's  agent  examined  at  the  factory,  contained  over  12^%  of 
moisture,  some  of  the  bales  being  found  on  opening  to  contain  50  lbs. 
and  60  lbs.  of  unmerchantable  cotton. 

The  following  instance  is  one  in  which  special  care  was  taken  to 
have  an  exhaustive  examination  and  test  made  wholly  under  the  care 
of  the  Manchester  Testing  House  Officials. 

Their  report  is  as  follows  : — 

Royal  Exchange, 

Manchester, 

October,  1904. 

"  In  accordance  with  your  instructions  we  visited  your  mill  on 
the  19th  inst.,  and  weighed  and  sampled  42  bales  of  cotton.  The 
samples  were  taken  from  the  top,  intermediate  and  middle  parts 
of  the  bales,  and  were  conveyed  here  in  air-tight  tins. 

Lot  1.  Lot  2.  Lot  3. 

13  bales  14  bales  15  bales 

cwt.    qr.    lb.      cwt.    qr.    lb.      cwt.    qr.    lb. 

54.    2.    20.     63.    3.    24.    69.    1.    26. 

Total  moisture      13-30^o  12-50%  13-90% 

Absolutely  dry  weight...       86-70%  87-50%  87*00% 

Regain  at  8^%       7-37%  7-43%  7.89% 

Correct  invoice  weight...       94-07%  94-93%  94-39% 

Excess  moisture    5-93%  5-07%  5-61% 

Equal  to  a  loss  per  bale  in  ex-\ 

ctss  of  a  normal  moisture  L^„  «^  ,,         ^.  „„  ,.         ^„    ^  .. 
of  8i%  over  absolute  dry-   26-60  lbs.     24-69  lbs.     26-90  lbs- 

ness  respectively  of  ...) 

an  average  of  26-07  lbs.  per  bale  upon  the  net  weight  of  the  bales. 


DAMP    IN    COTTON  46 

In  addition  to  the  above  loss  shown  by  the  Testing  House 
report  it  is  only  right  to  add  that  the  loss  in  weight  which  took 
place  in  the  gross  weight  of  the  cotton,  viz. : — between  the  weight 
of  the  bales  as  weighed  in  Liverpool  and  the  subsequent  re-weight 
of  the  same  bales  by  the  Testing  House  Official  (after  making  due 
allowance  for  bands  removed,  and  samples  taken  out  by  the 
sellers  when  investigating  the  complaint)  was  189  lbs.  or  3-31  lbs. 
per  bale." 

The  allowance  awarded  by  the  arbitrators  on  this  lot  of  cotton 
was  10  lbs.  per  bale,  whereas  the  average  loss  to  the  spinner  was  as 
shown  above,  26'07  lbs.  per  bale,  according  to  the  Testing  House 
report,  plus  the  loss  in  weight  between  the  first  and  second  weighings. 

Assuming  the  weight  of  a  bale  of  American  cotton  to  be  500  lbs. 
net,  an  excess  of  5%  moisture  adds  to  the  cost  of  the  cotton  to  the 
spinner  on  6d.  per  lb.         ...         -SlSd.  per  lb. 

5d.     „  ...         •263d.     „ 

4d.     „  ...         •210d.     „ 

At  to-day's  price,  say,  4-50d.,an  excess  of  4%adds  -ISTd.  to  the  cost. 
4-50d.  „  3%    ,,     •139d.         „ 

4-50d.  „  2%    „     -Oeid. 

With  the  view  of  obtaining  the  assistance  and  co-operation  of  the 
Liverpool  Cotton  Association,  the  Federation  Cotton  Committee,  on 
the  17th  Nov.  last,  wailed  upon  the  Directors  of  the  Liverpool  Cotton 
Association  and  laid  before  them  for  their  consideration  the  serious 
loss  which  the  trade  was  suffering  by  reason  of  excessive  moisture, 
and  also  the  fact  that  there  was  no  method  in  use  of  scientifically 
assessing  the  amount  of  excessive  moisture  in  cotton,  and,  further, 
that  when  cotton  was  found  to  be  more  than  usually  damp,  the 
allowances  made  by  arbitrators  were  in  many  cases  totally  inadequate 
to  cover  the  actual  loss. 

The  Cotton  Committee  suggested  that  endeavours  should  be  made 
to  establish  a  scientific  method  of  ascertaining  the  amount  of  excess 
over  normal  moisture,  but  the  Directors  of  the  Liverpool  Cotton 
Association,  in  their  reply,  stated  that  their  "Appeal  Committee  on 
Damp,"  after  careful  consideration,  "  are  strongly  confirmed  in  the 
opinion  ....  that  the  adoption  of  a  scientific  test  for  the  adjustment 
of  claims  for  damp  was  commercially  impracticable ;  .  .  .  .  that  damp 
in  cotton,  excessive  or  otherwise,  was  caused  by  the  weather,  and 
that  no  human  effort  could  control  it."  "  They  were  also  of  opinion 
that  no  seller  of  cotton,  in  America  or  anywhere  else,  would  submit 
to  sell  subject  to  a  basis  of  claim  which  arbitrarily  fixed  the  amount 
of  moisture  in  cotton  of  various  growths  and  crops." 

The  Federation  Cotton  Committee,  in  their  reply  to  the  Liverpool 
Cotton  Association,  wrote  that  they  could  not  seriously  accept  the 
conclusions  placed  before  them,  and  stated  that  the  object  of  the 
Federation  Committee  was  not  to  obtain  any  arbitrary  fixture  of  rules 
which  might  be  unfair  to  sellers,  but,  on  the  contrary,  to  induce  the 
Directors  of  the  Liverpool  Association  to  adopt  regulations  under 
which  differences  between  sellers  and  buyers  might  be  equitably 
adjusted,  as  the  Committee  was  of  opinion  that  sellers  in  America  or 
elsewhere  could  not  in  fairness  refuse  to  agree  to  rules  which  were 
equitable.  They  further  contended  that  the  present  Liverpool 
Association   Bye- Laws  were  not  framed  to  deal  equitably  with  the 


46  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

question  of  internal  moisture  in  bales  of  cotton;  for  instance,  the 
Liverpool  Cotton  Association  Bye-Law  25,  Section  6,  Sub-section  F, 
reads  as  follows: — 

"If  in  the  opinion  of  two  qualified  persons  cotton  turns  out  at 
time  of  delivery  to  be  damp  or  wet,  and  if  such  arbitrators 
consider  an  allowance  of  at  least  10  lbs.  per  bale  of  480 lbs. 
average  weight  if  American  cotton  to  be  due  thereon  (and 
this  shall  be  the  ratio  in  casesof  damp  occurring  in  growths 
other  than  American),   the  buyer  shall  have  the  option  of 
closing  the  contract  at  the  market  price  of  the  day,  subject 
to  the  right  of  appeal  by  the  seller." 
This  forms  the  basis  under  which  arbitrations  for  damp  are  con- 
ducted, and  the  Liverpool  Appeal  Committee  have  admitted  that  there 
have  been  cases  of  arbitration  under  this  rule  in  which   about  10  lbs. 
per  bale  should  have  been  allowed,  in  which  the  allowances  had  not 
been  sufficient,  and  the  instance  which  we  have  above  given   (the 
Testing  House  report  on  42  bales)  is  a  case  in  point  which  confirms 
that  conclusion. 

Bye-Law  25,  Section  1,  Sub-section  1  (a),  reads: — 
"All  cotton  shall  be  warranted  as  represented," 
and  we  can  hardly  suppose  that  any  seller  whose  cotton  was  ex- 
cessively damp  in  the  bales  would  contend  that  the  sample  upon 
which  he  offered  the  cotton  for  sale  could  possibly  represent  excess 
moisture  in  the  bale.  In  earlier  years  American  cotton  was  fre- 
quently weighted,  sometimes  excessively,  with  sand,  but  this  being  a 
very  apparent  adulteration,  which  was  usually  represented  in  the 
selling  sample,  the  buyer  of  spot  cotton  was  able  to  protect  himself 
and  this  method  of  adulteration  has  practically  ceased. 

The  rules  of  many  of  the  American  Cotton  Exchanges  deal  spe- 
cifically with  this  malpractice,  and  their  enforcement  has  no  doubt 
contributed  to  this  beneficial  result. 

Excess  moisture  in  cotton  is  only  another  means  of  adulteration — 
much  more  difficult  to  detect  and  to  deal  with — which  equitable  rules 
would  eradicate. 

The  Federation  Cotton  Committee  suggested  a  further  conference 
with  the  Liverpool  Cotton  Association,  to  discuss  the  question  and  the 
existing  rules  dealing  with  the  subject  of  damp  in  cotton,  to  which 
they  received  a  reply : — 

That  "as  the  Directors  of  the  Liverpool  Cotton  Association 

are  absolutely  convinced  that  the  dampness  in  question  is  the 

result  of  atmospheric  causes,  which  are  beyond  control, 

such  fundamental  divergence  of  opinion  renders  all  discussions  at 

present  useless." 

We  trust  that  the  Liverpool  Cotton  Association,  notwithstanding 
the  strong  opinion  which  its  Directors  have  expressed  as  to  the  cause 
of  excessive  moisture,  will  take  measures  to  institute  enquiries  on  the 
subject,  for  the  benefit  of  the  section  of  the  trade  which  it  claims  to 
represent. 

We  have  examined  copies  of  the  Rules  of  a  number  of  American 
Cotton  Exchanges,  viz.: — those  of  Galveston,  New  Orleans,  Memphis, 
Savannah,  and  it  is  most  remarkable  that,  with  the  exception  of  the 
last-named,  none  of  them  appear  to  mention  cotton  "ginned  while 
damp." 


DAMP    IN    COTTON  47 

GALVESTON. 

Which  under  Rule  4,  Allowances  and  Rejections,  Section  1  reads : — 
"  Seedy  or  fraudulently  packed  cotton  shall  be  rejected." 

Defines  mix-packed   cotton,   but    makes   no  mention  of  cotton 
damp-packed  or  water-packed. 

Under  Rule  10,  Supervision  and  Inspection,  Section  9  provides : — 
"  That  the  Chief  Supervisor  and  Inspector  and  his  assistants 
shall  keep  a  record  of  the  weather  ;  also  of  the  condition  in 
which  cotton  is  delivered  to  the  various  vessels.  They 
shall  also  keep  a  record  of  the  condition  in  which  cotton 
is  taken  on  board,  in  a  wet  or  dry  condition;  and,  if  wet, 
they  shall  specify  whether  the  same  was  received  wet  or 
became  wet  by  being  exposed  to  rain  upon  the  levee  or 
being  rolled  through  the  mud.  They  shall  make  daily 
reports  embodying  all  particulars,  which  reports  shall  be 
kept  on  file,  and  shall  be  entered  up  in  a  book  to  be  kept 
by  the  Chief  Supervisor  and  Inspector." 

This  only  appears  to  refer  to  external  damp,         country  damage. 

NEW  ORLEANS. 
Spot  Cotton,  Weighing  a7id  Re -Weighing.     Causes  fov  rejection. 

Rule  4  :— 

"  The  buyer  shall  have  the  right  to  reject  all  seedy  or  falsely 
packed  or  mixed-packed  or  re-baled  cotton,  unless  it  has 
been  sold  as  such  .  .  .  .  " 

Rule  16.     Allowance  fov  wet  or  damp  cotton  : — 

"  In  all  cases  where  wet  or  damp  cotton  is  tendered  for  delivery 
and  the  weigher  and  re-weigher  cannot  agree  as  to  the 
proper  allowance  to  be  made  for  the  same,  the  buyer's 
re- weigher  shall  have  the  right  to  demand  that  such  cotton 
shall  not  be  weighed  until  it  becomes  dry." 

Spot    Cotton.      Rule    18 — Reclamations   i    Dealing  with  falsely 
P.O. B.,  Rule  O,  Sect.  2:—  )         packed  cotton. 

Reads — 

"Falsely  or  fraudulently  packed  cotton  shall  be  defined  as 
follows : — Such  bales  as  may  contain  any  foreign  substance, 
water-packed  bales,  or  bales  containing  damaged  cotton  in 
the  interior,  without  any  indication  of  such  damage  upon 
the  exterior  of  the  bale  ;  also  such  bales  as  are  plated, 
t.f*,  composed  of  good  cotton  upon  the  exterior  and  decidedly 
inferior  cotton  in  the  interior  of  the  bales,  in  such  manner 
as  not  to  be  detected  without  opening  the  same." 

Free  on  Board  Rules.     Rule  N.,  Section  2  : — 

"  The  f.o.b.  seller  shall  guarantee  the  gross  landing  weight  to 
be  within  one  per  cent,  of  the  gross  invoice  weight  .  .  ." 

Levee  (Quay)  Inspection  Rules.    Daily  Reports.     Rule  4: — 

"  The  Chief  Supervisor  and  Assistant  Levee  Inspectors  shall 
keep  a  record  of  the  weather,  also  of  the  condition  in  which 
cotton  is  delivered  to  the  various  vessels;  they  shall  also 


48  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

keep  a  record  of  the  condition  in  which  cotton  is  taken  on 
board,  specifying  whether  the  same  was  taken  on  board  in 
a  wet  or  in  a  dry  condition,  and,  if  wet,  they  shall  specify 
whether  the  same  was  received  wet  or  became  so  by  being 
exposed  to  rain  upon  the  levee,  or  by  being  rolled  through 
the  mud  .  .  .  .  " 

Skidding  Receipts  by  Steamboats.     Rule  6 : — 

"Steamers  landing  cotton  (i.e.  from  interior  points  of  shipment) 
on  the  levee  beyond  the  wooden  wharves  shall  be  required 
to  place  the  same  upon  skids,  so  as  to  prevent  its  coming 
in  contact  with  mud  or  water,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Chief  Supervisor  and  of  his  Assistants  to  report  all 
violations  of  this  rule." 

Certificate  of  Cotton  unfit  for  Shipment.     Rule  11. 

"  In  any  case  where  cotton  has  been  taken  on  board  of  a  vessel 
in  condition  unfit  for  shipment,  any  shipper  by  said  vessel 
shall  receive,  if  he  so  requires,  a  special  certificate  from  the 
Exchange,  setting  forth  the  facts  of  the  case;  said  certifi- 
cate to  be  verified  by  oath  or  affirmation  of  the  Inspector 
in  charge  of  said  vessel.  Shippers  requiring  special  certifi- 
cates shall  pay  all  expenses  incurred  under  this  rule." 

MEMPHIS  COTTON  EXCHANGE. 

Official  Rules  and  Regulations  governing  the  Sale  and  Transfer  of  Cotton  in 

the  Memphis  Market,  November  22nd,  1901. 

Rule  6  :— 

"  All  seedy,  mixed,  fraudulently  packed  and  damaged  cotton 
may  be  rejected.     .     .     .  " 

Rule  17  :— 

"  All  cotton  that  is  stored  by  the  factor  on  the  streets,  or  not 
under  roof  cover,  shall  be  required  to  be  thoroughly  pro- 
tected by  tarpaulins  and  by  the  use  of  skids  sufficiently 
large  to  protect  the  cotton  from  mud  and  water,  and  to 
allow  of  the  passage  of  air  underneath." 

SAVANNAH. 

General  Rules.     Rule  8  : — 

(a) :  "  In  cotton  tendered  for  delivery,  buyers  shall  be  entitled 
to  reject,  at  their  option,  any  bale  which  is  light  weight, 
gin  cut,  seedy,  cock-spurry,  mixed-packed,  damp-packed, 
water-packed,  damaged,  or  which  contains  any  foreign 
substance,  or  is  covered  with  bagging  which  could  injure 
the  cotton,  or  which  is  in  unmerchantable  order." 

(e):  "  Any  bale  containing  cotton  ginned  ivhile  damp,  .  .  .  . 
shall  be  deemed  damp-packed." 

F.o.b.  Rules.     Rule  105  (a)  :— 

"  Cotton  sold  f.o.b.  shall  be  sold  cither  or.  class  and  ivcight 
guaranteed  at  port  of  discharge.     .     .     ." 


COTTON    BALE    PRESS 

Steam  Packer  is  shewn 
in  dotted  lines. 


I;  r 


;!  i'    ''  I    :       "till         :l  ' 


DAMP    IN    COTTON  49 

F.o.b.  Rules.     Rule  107  :— 

"  When  cotton  is  sold  f.o.b.  under  terms  of  Rule  105  (a),  it 
shall  be  considered  as  subject  to  arbitration  in  Liverpool 
or  Bremen." 

F.o.b.  Rules.     Rule  113:— 

"  In  case  of  transactions  under  terms  of  Rule  105,  paragraph 
A,  .  .  .  .  the  buyer  is  at  liberty  to  ship  the  cotton  .... 
to  ....  a  European  port,  for  weight  settlement 
there  ....  if  shipped  to  a  port,  then  weights  shall  hold 
out  within  one  (1)  per  cent,  gross  landing  weight,  against 
gross  invoice  weight,  and  in  case  the  loss  in  weight  on  any 
lot  exceeds  two  (2)  per  cent.,  as  compared  with  invoice 
weight,  the  buyer  shall  be  entitled  to  claim  from  the  seller 
the  loss  in  ocean  freight,  which  the  loss  in  weight  in  excess  on  one 
(1)  per  cent,  may  involve. 

Speaking  generally,  therefore,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  buyer  of 
cotton  in  the  cities  named,  under  the  rules  of  the  above  Cotton  Ex- 
changes, appears  to  be  protected  in  the  matter  of  external  damp, 
country  damage,  etc.  Only  one,  however,  of  these  Exchanges  specifi- 
cally refers  in  its  rules  to  cotton  ginned  while  damp,  viz..  Savannah. 

Evidence  has,  however,  lately  come  before  us  that  this  question  of 
excessive  moisture  in  cotton  is  beginning  to  impress  itself  upon  the 
minds  of  business  men  in  the  cotton-producing  States,  for  the  following 
circular  has  been  issued  by  the  Little  Rock  (Arkansas)  Board  of 
Trade,  on  the  subject : — 

COPY.] 

LITTLE  ROCK  BOARD  OF  TRADE. 
Important  Notice. 


Little  Rock,  Ark., 

October  10th,  1904. 

To  the  Cotton  Growers,  Ginners  and  Shippers. 

"  Though  it  is  yet  early  in  the  season,  the  cotton  buyers  of 
Little  Rock,  and  those  in  Little  Rock  Territory,  are  confronted 
by  conditions  that  require  proper,  prompt  and  energetic  action. 

In  the  face  of  an  excessively  dry  September,  there  are  numer- 
ous complaints  as  to  the  dampness  of  cotton  and  the  heavy  loss  in 
weight.  Many  bales  have  been  received  here  by  buyers  that  were 
water-packed  or  steam-packed.  In  one  instance  an  entire  carload 
has  been  rejected  for  this  cause,  and  the  cotton  is  in  an  un- 
merchantable condition. 

One  expert  ginner,  who  is  using  steam  press  and  steam 
tramper,  explains  that  by  slight  carelessness  the  steam  might 
escape,  and  thus  dampen  the  cotton  in  the  box.  Whether  this  be 
so,  or  whether  water  or  steam  is  allowed  to  enter  into  the  bale 
intentionally  or  unintentionally,  the  fact  remains  that  such  cotton 
is  improperly  baled  and  liable  to  damage,  and  even  when  not 
damaged  will  shrink  in  weight.  The  innocent  purchaser  is  paying 
for  water  and  should  be  protected.  The  cotton,  upon  arrival  in 
Little  Rock,  is  weighed  and  inspected  by  expert  and  trustworthy 
weighers,  and  the  Little  Rock  buyers  make  claim  for  loss  in 
weight  a^d  irregularities  on  the  parties  they  buy  from. 


50  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

In  placing  these  facts  before  you,  we  desire  to  ask  your  co- 
operation in  assisting  us  to  remedy  this  evil.  To  the  credit  of  our 
State,  there  has  been  a  gradual  diminution  in  the  matter  of  false 
packing  of  cotton  and  other  irregularities.  Arkansas  cotton  enjoys 
a  higli  reputation  in  the  markets  of  the  world,  and  we  ask  every 
one  interested  in  the  cotton  trade,  from  the  grower  to  the  exporter, 
to  exert  his  influence  in  furnishing  straight  packages  and  proper 
weights  to  the  spinners,  thereby  building  up  not  only  the  cotton- 
growing  industries  of  the  State,  but  protecting  its  good  name. 

We  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  Rules  6,  13,  14  and  15,  of 
the  Little  Rock  Board  of  Trade,  governing  the  sale  and  transfer  of 
cotton,  which  are  as  follows  : — 

Rule  6. — All  seedy,  mixed,  fraudulently  packed  and  damaged 
cotton  may  be  rejected,  and  cotton  sold  by  samples  must 
be  delivered  accordingly,  unless  rejected  for  causes  above 
stated. 

Rule  13. — All  f.o.b.  cotton  for  shipment  to  Little  Rock  is  to 
be  weighed  as  soon  as  practicable  after  its  arrival,  and  in 
case  of  any  discrepancies  between  invoice  weight  and  re- 
weights,  the  shipper  is  to  be  furnished  promptly  with 
statements  of  any  such  discrepancies,  for  which  he  is 
liable.  However,  the  seller  has  the  right  to  have  the 
cotton  weighed  at  his  own  expense  within  forty-eight 
hours  from  the  time  claim  is  made. 

Rule  14. — Country  damaged  cotton,  i.e.,  cotton  damaged  by 
water,  mud,  or  any  way  unmerchantable  or  in  bad  con- 
dition, will  be  put  in  order  at  the  expense  of  the  shipper. 

Rule  15. — Where  transactions  in  round  lots  are  made,  without 
reference  to  samples,  the  buyer  has  the  right  to  reject  all 
fraudulently  packed  cotton,  in  the  same  manner  as  des- 
cribed in  Rule  6. 

These  rules  are  practically  the  same  as  are  in  vogue  in  all  the 

larger  cotton  markets  of  the  world,  and  will  be  strictly  adhered  to 

by  the  members  of  the  Little  Rock  Board  of  Trade." 

As  further  evidence  of  damp-packing,  we  find,  curiously  enough, 

that  the  manufacturers  of  the  Thomas  Gin  Compress,  of  Little  Rock, 

Arkansas,  publish  certain  testimonials  relating  to  their  machinery, 

from  which  we  give  the  following  extracts : — 

Onoway  Scott, 
Merchant  and  Planter. 

Scott,  Ark.,  December  13th,  1904. 
Thomas  Compress  Co.,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 
Gentlemen, 

We  have  ginned  800  bales  of  cotton  and  pressed  it  with  your 
Folder,  and  find  a  great  improvement  in  it  over  the  old  steam 
packer,  which  let  more  or  less  water  leak  into  the  bales,  and  in  your 
Folder  this  trouble  is  entirely  done  away  zvitJi,  and  it  also  folds  the 
cotton  very  nicely  and  saves  labour  and  power 

Yours  truly, 

W.  E.  Chapel,  Manager. 


DAMP    IN    COTTON  51 

H.  McMuRRAY  &  Co., 
Cotton  Buyers. 

Little  Rock,  Ark.,  December  14th,  1904. 

Dr.  A.  D.  Thomas,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Dear  Sir, 

After  seeing  your  Folder  in  operation,  it  gives  me  great 
pleasure  to  state  that  I  consider  it  the  best  device  on  the  market 
for  putting  cotton  into  the  press  box.  From  a  cotton  buyer's 
standpoint,  I  especiaHy  recommend  the  use  of  your  Folder,  from 
the  fact  that  it  does  away  with  all  possibility  of  water-packed  cotton, 
which  is  frequently  the  case  where  the  cotton  is  put  into  the  box  by  a 
steam  tramper 

Wishing  you  the  greatest  success, 
I  am. 

Yours  very  truly, 

W.  H.  McMuRRAY. 

Little  Rock  Board  of  Trade. 

Little  Rock,  Ark.,  December  14th,  1904. 

To  whom  it  may  concern. 

I  have  made  a  personal  inspection  of  the  Thomas  Cotton 
Press  Folder  while  in  operation,  and  cheerfully  recommend  its 
use  as  a  labour-saving  machine,  as  well  as  for  its  many  other 
advantages  in  the  making  of  a  better  commercial  bale,  avoiding 
moisture  and  steam  tn  the  baling. 

Respectfully, 

Ad.  Hamburg, 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trade  Cotton  Committee. 

T.  H.  Hutchinson, 
Cotton. 

Little  Rock,  Ark.,  December  14th,  1904. 

Dr.  A.  D.  Thomas,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  been  watching  the  development  of  your  Folder  for 
putting  cotton  in  the  press  box  from  the  time  you  commenced  on 
your  first  machine.  .  .  .  Being  in  the  cotton  business  myself, 
I  can  see  a  great  saving  of  money  and  annoyance  to  all  cotton  buyers, 
from  the  fact  that  there  is  no  danger  of  water-packed  cotton  where  your 
machine  is  used,  tvhich  is  frequently  the  case  where  steam  cylinders 
are  used  for  putting  the  cotton  into  the  press  box 

Yours  very  truly, 

T.  H.  Hutchinson. 

Cotton  can  only  be  passed  through  the  gin  when  in  a  compara- 
tively dry  condition,  as  if  too  damp  the  fibres  collect  upon  the  saws, 
and  frequent  fires  then  occur  from  friction. 

A  correspondent  writes  us  as  follows : — 

"  Referring  to  the  circular  issued  by  the  Little  Rock  Board 
of  Trade.     l\Iy  personal  observation  confirmed  the  need  of  such  a 


52  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

circular,  as  the  steam  tramper,  as  used  in  gin  houses,  is  un- 
doubtedly a  constant  source  of  added  moisture  before  the  bale  is 
pressed,  depending,  of  course,  upon  the  good  or  bad  condition  of 
the  stuffing  box." 

Mr.  Christopher  P.  Brookes,  of  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  in  a  paper 
read  before  the  New  England  Manufacturers'  Association,  last  Septem- 
ber, quotes  the  result  of  some  tests  for  moisture  in  cotton  made  by 
Mr.  Rowland  some  years  ago,  which  is  given  below: — 

North  American, 


Percentage  of  Moisture, 

Variety  of  Cotton. 

Maximum. 

Minimum. 

Average. 

Texas 

14-8 

6-9 

9-2 

Orleans 

9-9 

7-8 

9-7 

Memphis 

9-8 

71 

9-4 

Sea  Island 

9-9 

7-4 

9-6 

Savannah 

16-2 

10-7 

18-8 

Norfolk 

10-3 

8-4 

9-4 

Florida 

8-9 

South  American. 

7-2 

8-7 

Maceio 

8-1 

8-1 

Paraiba 

8-3 

8-3 

Brazil 

11-8 

7-3 

9-5 

Peru 

9-8 

Egyptian. 

7-5 

91 

Ashmouni 

9-5 

6-8 

8-4 

Gallini 

10-8 

7-1 

9-3 

Brown 

8-7 
Indian. 

7-8 

8-3 

Surat 

7-7 

6-2 

7-5 

Dhollerah 

8-1 

6-4 

70 

Bengal 

8-2 

8-2 

Tinnivelly 

7-9 

7-9 

We  think  these  figures  will  probably  fairly  represent  the  ex- 
perience of  consumers  of  cotton  at  the  present  time. 

Many  spinners  here  have  no  doubt  found  by  experience  that  the 
cotton  which  loses  most  weight  comes  from  the  Eastern  Cotton  States. 

We  think  that  no  stronger  evidence  could  be  produced  for  the 
necessity,  on  the  part  of  all  Cotton  Exchanges,  to  establish  rules 
which  will  act  as  a  deterrent  to  the  damp-packing  of  cotton. 

In  other  trades,  notably  in  those  of  wool,  silk  and  wood  pulp,  it 
has  become  an  established  custom  to  buy  and  sell  those  commodities 
upon  an  agreed-upon  standard  of  moisture,  and  we  see  no  insuperable 
difficulty  to  the  establishment  of  a  similar  method  of  adjusting  disputes 
in  cases  of  excessive  moisture  in  raw  cotton. 

In  our  opinion,  however,  the  simplest  plan  in  the  first  place  is  to 
root  out  the  evil  at  its  source,  which  appears  from  the  above  evidence 
to  arise  at  the  ginning  presses,  and  this  duty  primarily  falls  upon  the 
shoulders  of  local  Exchanges  throughout  the  cotton-producing  States. 
We  trust  that  the  International  Committee  will  exercise  its  powerful 
influence  with  the  respective  National  Local  Associations  and  Cotton 


DAMP    IN    COTTON  53 

Exchanges  which  its  members  represent,  to  organise  a  code  of  Rules 
and  Regulations  which  shall  be  equitable  as  between  sellers  and 
buyers,  dealing  specifically  with  the  assessment  of  claims  for  excessive 
moisture  in  cotton,  with  the  object  of  establishing  their  universal 
adoption.  In  order  to  assist  in  the  accomplishment  of  this  very 
desirable  end,  we  think  that  the  opinion  of  this  Congress,  strongly 
expressed,  would  carry  very  great  influence  with  the  authorities  of 
the  commercial  centres  referred  to. 

Mr.  Macalister  proceeded: — As  further  evidence  of  what  I 
have  just  read,  I  would  like  to  read  one  or  two  extracts  from  a 
report  given  by  a  gentleman  whose  business  it  is  to  travel  in  America 
to  sell  machinery  amongst  ginners,  and  this  is  first  hand.  He  is  a 
gentleman  who  has  nothing  to  do  with  spinning  or  buying  or  selling 
cotton,  so  that  his  report  is  practically  unbiassed  in  every  respect. 

"  Farmers'  carts  are  built  to  contain  as  nearly  as  may  be 
sufficient  seed  cotton  to  make  a  bale  of  500  lbs.  of  lint.  .  .  .  The 
farmer  sees  his  seed  cotton  ginned,  and  the  bale  pressed  and 
weighed,  and  after  paying  for  the  ginning,  etc.,  takes  his  bale  of 
cotton  and  his  seed  away  with  him.  .  .  .  Whatever  weight  the 
cart  contains  goes  into  one  bale,  consequently  the  bales  of  lint 
vary  from  440  to  550  lbs.,  or  thereabouts." 

I  should  here  explain  that  the  bales  as  made  at  the  country 
ginneries  are  very  lightly  pressed. 

"  The  rule  in  the  States  is  to  press  the  bale  at  the  gin  house 
and  bind  it  with  cloth  and  hoops.  The  farmer  takes  the  bale 
away  in  this  half-pressed  form,  and  when  it  suits  him  to  dispose 

of  the  cotton  he  sells  it  to  the  dealer  in  town The  dealer 

takes  the  half -pressed  bale  to  the  compress  house,  where  it  is 
compressed  and  stored  until  it  is  shipped  to  a  port.  These  compresses 
are  very  powerful  and  turn  out  two  bales  a  minute." 

Describing  the  usual  method  of  packing  cotton  in  the  gin  house 
he  says : — 

"  The  cotton  as  it  leaves  the  condenser  is  usually  put  into  a 
box  and  rammed  by  the  steam  packer,  a  kind  of  steam  hammer  or 
ram,  which  squeezes  the  cotton  from  time  to  time,  as  it  is  dropped 
in  from  the  condenser.  (This  steam  packer,  by  the  way,  usually 
leaks  at  the  stuffing  box,  and  is  a  frequent  cause  of  the  complaints  of 
wet  cotton.)  When  the  load  of  cotton  which  forms  the  bale  is 
ginned  and  has  come  through  the  condenser  into  the  packing  box, 
the  box  with  its  load  of  cotton  is  turned  round  on  the  table  (see 
diagram  of  packing  press,  p.  48),  and  comes  under  the  steam  or 
other  press ;  but,  as  stated  above,  these  bales  are  only  half 
pressed On  seeing  this  steam  packer  I  could  understand 


54  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

the  complaints  re  damp  packing,  as  the  board  below  the  ram  was 
packed  with  wet  matted  cotton  saturated  with  water  (condensed 
steam)  which  had  dropped  from  the  steam  packer  above.  .  .  . 
I  drew  their  attention  to  this  leakage,  and  they  said  it  was  very 
liable  in  all  steam  packers." 

Speaking  of  saw  gins,  he  writes  : — 

"If  cotton  (in  the  seed)  is  damp  or  wet,  the  production  is 
unreliable,  as  the  cotton,  sticking  between  the  saws  and  the  ribs, 
heats  and  fires  if  not  cleared  every  few  minutes.  When  cotton 
(in  the  seed)  is  very  damp,  the  saws  are  lubricated  with  petroleum 
to  help  to  clear  the  brushes." 

I  don't  think  you  can  have  anything  clearer  than  that  to  show  how 
damp  gets  into  cotton  either  intentionally  or  unintentionally. 

In  regard  to  the  question  of  arbitration,  Mr.  Macalister  went  on  to 
explain  that  on  the  Appeal  Committee  of  the  Liverpool  Cotton  Associa- 
tion the  spinner  was  practically  unrepresented,  and  so  from  the  spinner's 
point  of  view  they  felt  that  they  were  not  fairly  represented  in  Liver- 
pool. Although  a  spinner  was  entitled  to  become  a  member  of  the 
Liverpool  Cotton  Exchange,  he  was  only  entitled  on  condition  that  he 
was  not  blackballed,  and,  unfortunately,  he  was  often  blackballed. 
Spinners  knew  from  their  own  experience  at  the  mills,  where  they  had 
seen  many  thousands  of  bales  opened,  that  there  was  added  water  in 
every  bale. 

The  Chairman  said  they  were  greatly  indebted  to  Mr.  Macalister 
for  the  information  he  had  given  them.  The  subject  was  one  of  the 
greatest  importance  to  spinners,  and  formed  one  of  the  many  grievances 
with  which  they  had  to  contend  in  providing  their  mills  with  cotton. 
It  was  worthy  of  much  consideration,  and  gentlemen  present  ought 
to  express  their  views  upon  it,  and  see  what  could  be  done  to  remedy 
the  present  state  of  things.  He  proceeded  to  give  instances  of  the 
trouble  experienced  by  spinners  in  Italy  from  this  cause,  and  of  the 
unsatisfactory  results  which  followed  from  having  to  send  samples  of 
damp  cotton  to  Liverpool  for  arbitration.  He  suggested  that  the 
question  was  one  which  ought  to  be  dealt  with  by  the  International 
Committee,  and  asked  for  expressions  of  opinion  from  other  continental 
members. 

Herr  Ferd.  Gross  :  As  long  as  we  are  contented  with  the 
argument  that  no  human  endeavour  can  control  the  damp  in  cotton 
we  cannot  make  any  progress  whatever.  We  are  very  much  indebted 
for  the  valuable  material  which  Mr.  Macalister  has  collected.  Is  it  not 
possible  to  have  the  other  matter  which  Mr.  Macalister  has  got  together, 


DAMP    IN    COTTON  55 

and  which  is  not  included  in  his  paper  as  we  have  it,  also  published? 
We  ought  to  get  as  much  evidence  together  as  possible  to  solve  this 
question,  and  to  request  the  Cotton  Exchanges  to  abolish  this  abso- 
lutely justifiable  grievance.  We  always  get  the  answer  from  the 
Committees  of  the  Cotton  Exchanges  that  it  is  not  possible  to  reduce 
this  damp  in  cotton.  If  we  have  at  our  disposal  the  material  and  the 
arguments  which  Mr,  Macalister  has  to-day  furnished,  I  think  we 
shall  induce  the  Cotton  Exchanges  to  rectify  this  grievance. 

Herr  Kuffler  (Austria)  said  they  had  had  difficulties  in  the  matter 
in  his  country.  He  explained  the  system  adopted  on  the  Bremen 
Cotton  Exchange  for  dealing  with  the  matter.  Spinners  were  repre- 
sented on  that  Exchange,  and  they  had  gone  into  the  question  of 
humidity  in  cotton  very  thoroughly,  and  had  held  long  discussions  upon 
it  with  cotton  merchants.  He  pointed  out  that  seven  spinners  were 
Directors  of  the  Bremen  Cotton  Exchange,  whereas  there  were  none  on 
the  Liverpool  Exchange.  Often  enough,  when  the  spinning  members 
of  the  Bremen  Exchange  suggested  something  for  the  benefit  of 
spinners,  they  were  met  with  the  objection  that  it  could  not  be  granted 
as  Liverpool  would  not  grant  it,  and  therefore  Bremen  could  not. 
Liverpool  Avas  a  handicap  to  them. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Byrom  (England)  said  that  the  whole  question  of  damp 
in  cotton  should  be  gone  into  and  decided  very  carefully  upon  a  scientific 
basis. 

M.  C.  Berger  (France)  spoke  of  the  position  of  affairs  in  France 
with  regard  to  the  subject  at  issue. 

Mr.  J.  T.  Dawson  (England),  as  a  bleacher  and  dyer,  as  well  as 
being  engaged  in  the  cotton  trade,  gave  it  as  his  experience  which  went 
back  forty  years,  that  there  was  no  excessive  damp  in  cotton  except  where 
sufficient  time  between  the  picking  of  the  cotton  and  its  being  ginned 
and  baled  had  not  been  allowed  to  elapse  for  the  natural  evaporation  in 
the  cotton  to  have  taken  place.  He  had  no  doubt  that  many  of  the 
complaints  of  damp  this  season  arose  from  the  fact  that  a  few  people 
were  anxious  to  get  the  new  crop  in  September.  In  consequence  there 
had  not  been  time  for  the  natural  evaporation  of  the  moisture  to  take 
place  previous  to  its  being  ginned  and  baled.  The  fact  that  there  had 
been  few  complaints  concerning  the  later  deliveries  supported  his  con- 
tention. His  experience  of  cotton  from  different  countries  was  that  it 
varied  very  materially  in  the  amount  of  moisture  even  when  the  cotton 
was  considered  to  be  in  a  reasonable  condition. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Thomas  did  not  think  they  would  do  any  good  until  they 


56  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

had  absolutely  independent  men  to  settle  disputes,  both  in  Liverpool 
and  on  the  Continent.  There  would  be  no  real  remedy  for  excessive 
moisture,  or  anything  else,  as  long  as  the  question  had  ultimately  to  go 
back  to  an  interested  party  to  settle  disputes. 

The  Chairman  agreed  that  so  long  as  one  side  had  it  all  their  own 
way,  they  would  never  have  any  proper  dealing  with  the  matter.  He 
did  not  think  they  could  press  this  point  too  strongly. 

Herr  Ferd.  Gross  :  I  should  like  to  add  a  few  words  to  what 
I  have  already  said  regarding  this  position.  We  have  had  some  very 
gratifying  experiences  on  the  Bremen  Cotton  Exchange,  in  consequence 
of  the  influence  which  the  spinners  have  on  the  Board  of  that  Institution. 
I  have  been  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Board  of  the  Bremen  Cotton 
Exchange,  and  I  can  assure  you  that,  although  we  spinners  are  in  a 
minority  as  regards  the  number,  we  are  not  in  a  minority  as  regards  the 
influence  we  exert.  We  have  always  found  the  people  there  ready  and 
willing  to  deal  with  reasonable  grievances.  I  can  only  point  out  that 
such  a  state  of  things  is  most  satisfactory,  and  in  some  cases  it  is  of 
great  importance  to  us,  especially  in  cases  of  differences  regarding 
contracts.  In  such  cases  the  settlement  is  referred  to  a  court  of 
arbitration.  After  this  court  of  arbitration  a  court  of  appeal  settles  the 
difference  definitely.  This  court  decides  how  the  rules  have  to  be 
applied.  Spinners  are  always  called  upon  to  act  as  judges  in  this 
court  in  conjunction  with  dealers,  and  I  may  say  that,  in  important 
cases,  the  opinion  of  the  spinners  has  a  very  great  influence  in  the 
framing  of  the  judgment.  We  would  like  cotton  to  be  dealt  with  ac- 
cording to  the  same  rules  on  all  the  Exchanges.  In  Bremen  the 
Committee  would  often  introduce  an  improvement  if  it  were  not  for 
Liverpool.  I  would,  therefore,  suggest  that  you  can,  at  least  in  this 
one  instance,  learn  something  from  us.  I  should  think  that  the 
English  spinners  with  more  than  40  million  spindles  could  exercise 
a  greater  influence  on  the  Liverpool  Exchange  than  we  with  a  much 
smaller  number. 

Dr.  Hellmann,  Mr.  A.  Dearnaley,  and  Mr.  Derbyshire  con- 
tinued the  discussion,  the  purport  of  these  remarks  being  that  Cotton 
Exchanges  should  be  urged  to  give  spinners  more  favourable  conditions 
for  the  conduct  of  arbitration  in  cases  of  damp  in  cotton  than  those  at 
present  existing.  The  experience  of  the  Continental  members  in  regard 
to  humidity  in  cotton  was  similar  to  that  of  the  English  spinners. 

After  the  discussion  the  matter  was  left  with  the  International 
Committee,  with  a  view  to  the  preparation  of  a  resolution  to  be 
submitted  to  a  future  meeting  of  the  Congress. 


DAMP    IN    COTTON  57 

Mr.  Macara  said  he  was  sure  the  discussion  that  morning  would 
be  of  immense  benefit  to  the  trade.  His  experience  had  been  that  if 
they  wished  to  remove  any  grievance,  the  best  thing  they  could  do  was 
to  expose  that  grievance.  He  thought  that  the  work  that  Mr,  Mac- 
alister  and  his  committee  had  done  could  not  be  estimated  too  highly. 
The  'paper  would  certainly  be  included  in  the  report  of  the  Congress, 
together  with  the  synopsis  of  the  discussion  which  had  taken  place 
upon  it. 

The  Chairman  said  he  had  not  troubled  them  with  an  address  at 
the  beginning  of  the  meeting,  but  now  that  they  had  come  to  the  end 
of  their  discussion  he  would  like  to  say  a  few  words  with  regard  to  a 
hobby  of  his.  He  would  like  to  call  the  attention  of  English  spinners 
to  the  evils  which  followed  upon  dealing  and  meddling  with  cotton 
futures.  This  subject  was  not  down  on  their  programme,  but  he 
thought  it  was  well  worth  their  consideration. 

The  bulk  of  continental  trade  was  done  without  touching  futures 
at  all,  and  it  would  be  a  great  benefit  to  the  whole  cotton  industry  if 
every  nation  would  conduct  its  business  on  similar  lines.  Last  year,  at 
Rome,  he  tried  to  impress  upon  Italian  spinners  how  unfair  it  was  to 
leave  English  people  alone  to  fight  against  high  prices  in  cotton,  brought 
about  by  the  gambling  element,  and  he  was  sorry  he  could  not  persuade 
them  to  adopt  short  time,  although  in  the  long  run  it  would  have  been 
to  their  advantage. 

He  would  like  to  indicate  to  English  spinners  that,  if  continental 
spinners  were  to  try  to  obtain  the  adoption  of  the  principle  of  short 
time,  they  would  like  in  exchange  that  English  spinners  should 
consider  very  earnestly  this  question  of  cotton  futures.  As  a  means 
of  suppressing  this  kind  of  speculation,  he  advocated  no  contracts 
for  a  longer  period  than  three  months.  This  might  seem  strange  to 
English  people,  who  had  been  in  the  habit  of  regulating  their  trade 
through  the  medium  of  futures  for  many  years  past ;  but  the  plan  he 
had  suggested  was  one  which  in  his  opinion  was  well  deserving  their 
earnest  attention. 

Herr  John  Syz  (Switzerland)  at  this  stage  introduced  the  newly- 
appointed  Secretary,  Mr.  Arno  Schmidt.  Mr.  Schmidt  would,  he  said, 
soon  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  giving  to  the  International 
Federation  all  his  time  and  energy. 

Mr.  Schmidt,  who  was  warmly  received,  thanked  the  Congress 
for  the  confidence  bestowed  upon  him,  and  said  he  should  do  his  best 
to  give  satisfaction. 

E 


68  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

The  Chairman  :  I  express  the  sentiments  of  the  Congress  in 
bidding  our  new  Secretary  welcome  to  our  Congress  staff. 

Mr.  J.  L.  Tattersall,  referring  to  the  protest  uttered  by  the 
Chairman  in  regard  to  deaHng  in  futures,  also  urged  the  delegates  to  do 
everything  in  their  power  towards  its  discouragement.  If  they  would 
only  do  so,  the  futures  markets  would  become  less  and  less,  and  in 
time  would  entirely  disappear. 

Mr.  J.  Derbyshire  expressed  himself  in  full  sympathy  with  the 
Chairman  and  Mr.  Tattersall  in  this  matter. 

Mr.  Thomas  pointed  out  that  there  was  another  side  to  the  ques- 
tion. There  was  the  case  of  manufacturers  who  had  sold  their  pro- 
ductions a  long  while  ahead,  and  had  to  protect  themselves. 

After  some  further  discussion  the  Congress  adjourned. 


59 


FOURTH     DAY'S     PROCEEDINGS, 

THURSDAY,   JUNE    8th. 
Chairman:    Monsieur   JEAN    de    HEMPTINNE. 

The  fourth  day's  sitting  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall,  Liverpool. 

In  welcoming  the  Congress,  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Liverpool 
(The  Right  Honourable  John  Lea)  said:  It  is  well  that  you  should 
come  to  Liverpool  on  the  question  of  cotton,  because,  I  suppose, 
Liverpool  owes  its  position  very  largely  to  cotton,  and  whilst  Lan- 
cashire has  a  large  share  in  the  cotton  trade  of  the  world,  Liverpool 
is  to  a  very  large  extent  the  gateway  of  the  cotton  manufacturing 
districts. 

In  the  name  of  the  municipality,  I  beg  to  assure  you  of  a  warm 
welcome  to  our  city,  and  to  this  historic  Mansion  House.  I  believe 
there  are  in  this  Chamber  representatives  of  ten  foreign  countries,  but 
whatever  the  diflference  of  language  I  am  sure  we  shall  all  be  one  at 
heart.  We  are  brethren  in  two  great  causes.  The  first  cause  that  has 
brought  us  here  is  business,  but  we  have  not  brought  simply  business 
in  our  hands  ;  we  have  come  with  goodwill  in  our  hearts,  goodwill  and 
friendship,  not  only  to  Liverpool  and  to  those  we  meet  in  England,  but 
amongst  ourselves ;  and  the  world  is  going  to  be  better  and  brighter, 
and  the  goodwill  between  nations  is  going  to  be  increased,  by  reason 
of  these  gatherings. 

Mr.  Macara  :  Before  we  commence  the  business  of  the  day  I 
must,  as  the  President  of  the  Congress,  thank  the  Lord  Mayor  of 
Liverpool  for  his  very  hearty  welcome  this  morning.  When  the  Lord 
^layor  of  Liverpool  heard  of  this  Congress,  he  said  he  was  most 
desirous  that  the  great  city  of  Liverpool  should  share  with  Manchester 
in  the  honour  of  receiving  so  many  foreign  delegates,  and  I  can  assure 
you  that  that  offer  was  very  cordially  accepted.  We  appreciate  to  the 
fullest  extent  the  warmth  of  the  Lord  Mayor's  welcome,  and  it  will  be 
to  everyone  of  us  a  pleasing  remembrance  that  we  have  met  in  this 
historic  building  in  connection  with  the  deliberations  of  the  Second 
International  Cotton  Congress.  I  beg  to  thank  you,  my  Lord  Mayor, 
on  behalf  of  the  Congress,  for  your  great  courtesy  in  receiving  us 
to-day. 

The  Lord  Mayor,  in  reply,  said :  I  thank  you  very  much.  I 
assure  you  of  a  warm  appreciation  of   your  acknowledgment  of  any 


60  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

little  service  I  have  been  able  to  render,  and  I  also  assure  you  it  has 
been  to  me  a  great  privilege  to  be  associated  with  so  important  a 
gathering. 

M.  Jean  de  Hemptinne  then  took  the  chair.  In  thanking  the 
Congress  for  the  honour  conferred  upon  him  by  electing  him  President 
of  that  day's  proceedings,  he  said :  I  wish  to  say  one  word — it  is  that 
the  Belgian  Cotton  Association  highly  appreciates  the  results  of  the 
Zurich  Congress,  and  of  the  services  rendered  by  the  International 
Committee.  The  Association  will  always  endeavour  to  contribute  to 
the  success  of  the  International  Congrress. 


THE     METRIC     SYSTEM     OF     WEIGHTS     AND 
MEASURES. 


Introduction  of  International  Uniform  Numbering  of  Yarns 
on  the  Basis  of  the  Decimal  Metric  System. 


The  following  Paper  was  read  by  Herr  Ferd.  Gross  (Germany) : — 

(A) — A  History  of  the  Endeavours  that  have  been  made  previously  for  the 
purpose  of  introducing  a  uniform  numheving  of  yarns. 

The  efforts  to  establish  a  uniform  system  of  numbering  the 
spinnings  of  all  kinds  of  vegetable  or  animal  spinning  materials  have 
been  continuous  for  a  period  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
At  the  instigation  of  the  Netheraustrian  Chamber  of  Commerce  and 
Industry,  in  Vienna,  an  International  Congress  for  the  numbering 
of  yarns  was  held  during  the  Universal  Exhibition,  in  Vienna,  in  the 
year  1873,  at  which  delegates  from  Austria,  Germany,  France,  Italy, 
Switzerland,  Belgium,  Russia  and  Sweden  attended. 

The  discussions  of  this  Congress  lasted  from  the  7th  till  the  11th 
of  July,  1873,  and  led  to  the  following  resolutions  : — 

1.  The  systems  of  numbering  yarns  actually  in  force  hinder 
business  and  render  it  difficult.  In  consideration  of  the  fact 
that  yarns  have  now  become  an  article  of  international  trade, 
and  that  this  trade  becomes  more  perfect  with  every  treaty  of 
commerce,  every  net  of  railways,  every  new  line  of  telegraph 
and  every  universal  exhibition,  it  is  in  a  high  degree  desirable 
that  special  efforts  should  be  made  to  remove  the  noted 
obstacle. 

2.  It  appears  possible  (after  a  carefully  made  selection  of  the  units 
of  weights  and  measures  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
spinning  materials)  to  number  all  spinning  materials  on  the 
basis  of  one  and  the  same  principle. 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  61 

3.  The  metric  principle  appears  to  be  the  one  best  adapted  to  be 
taken  as  a  uniform  basis. 

The  number  of  the  yarn  will  be  given  by  the  number  of 
metres  contained  in  one  gramme. 

4.  The  length  of  the  Hank  will  be  fixed  at  1000  metres  for  all 
species  of  yarns,  with  subdivisions  of  ten  skeins  at  100  metres. 

The  Congress  appointed  a  Permanent  Committee,  who  had  to 
consider  specially  which  winding-length,  and  consequently  which 
number  of  threads  per  skein,  should  be  adopted  for  the  various  species 
of  spinnings.  This  Committee  published  an  official  correspondence 
paper  for  the  introduction  of  a  uniform  numbering  of  yarns 
(Correspondance  officielle  pour  I'introduction  du  numerotage  uniforme 
du  fil). 

The  year  after  the  Vienna  Congress,  a  Congress  was  held  at 
Brussels,  from  the  21st  to  the  23rd  September,  1874,  in  which  sixty 
delegates  from  the  principally  interested  States,  as  well  as  from 
England,  took  part.  This  Congress  passed  the  following  resolutions  : — 

1.  The  International  Numbering  of  yarns  shall  be  based  upon 
the  metric  system. 

2.  The  grade  number  of  the  spinning  is  determined  by  the 
number  of  metres  of  the  yarn  contained  in  one  gramme, 
with  the  exception  of  raw  or  spun  silk. 

3.  The  length  of  the  Hank  is  fixed  at  1000  metres  with  decimal 
subdivisions,  for  all  species  of  spinnings. 

4.  Any  system  of  winder  shall  be  legal  that  gives  1000  metres  as 
unit  of  weight. 

5.  The  numbering  of  raw  and  spun  silk  shall  have  1000  metres 
as  fixed  unit  of  length,  and  the  decigramme  (100  milli- 
grammes) as  unit  for  the  variable  weight. 

6.  In  order,  however,  to  take  into  account  the  customs  of  the 
trade  of  all  countries  carrying  on  silk  manufacture,  it  shall 
be  granted  that  the  number  be  determined  by  weighing  a 
length  of  thread  of  500  metres  in  weight  units  of  50  milli- 
grammes. 

As  will  be  seen,  the  Brussels  Congress,  acting  in  contradiction 
to  the  resolution  of  its  predecessor,  considered  the  question  also, 
whether  the  metric  numbering  would  render  necessary  an  alteration 
of  the  existing  system  of  winding.  In  this  respect  it  was  acknowledged 
that  the  numbering  of  yarns  should  remain  independent  from  the 
winding  system,  and  that  any  dimension  of  the  winder  should  be 
allowed,  provided  that  such  dimension  multiplied  by  the  corresponding 
number  of  revolutions  gave  the  length  of  1000  metres  for  the  hank. 
The  Congress,  therefore,  did  not  reject  any  winder  circumference  that 
would  be  capable  of  giving  the  legal  length  of  1000  metres.  This  is 
important,  as  in  the  most  considerable  spinning  industry,  viz., 
that  of  cotton  spinning,  the  usual  winder  dimension  of  1^  yard  = 
1-37™ — gives  for  73  revolutions  the  exact  number  of  100  metres 
within  about  one  per  thousand.  Owing  to  this  fortunate,  although 
quite  accidental  circumstance,  it  is  possible  to  consider  the  introduction 
of  the  metric  numbering  of  yarns  as  being  practicable  without 
any  alteration  of  the  winding  machine. 


62  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

It  is  also  of  importance  that  the  Brussels  Congress  should  have 
departed  from  the  principle  laid  down  by  the  \^ienna  Congress  in 
regard  to  the  classification  of  silk  yarns,  and  that  that  principle  was 
reversed,  taking  the  metre  and  gramme  as  the  bases,  but  increasing 
the  number  with  the  thickness  of  the  yarn  instead  of  with  the  fineness, 
as  is  the  case  with  all  other  textiles. 

After  the  Brussels  Congress,  followed  the  Third  International 
Congress  for  the  numbering  of  yarns,  which  was  held  at  Turin  from 
the  12th  to  the  16th  October,  1875.  This  Congress  confirmed  the 
work  of  the  Brussels  Congress  by  passing  the  following  resolutions: — 

1.  The  International  Numbering  of  yarns  shall  be  based  upon 
the  metric  system. 

2.  The  number  of  any  yarn  shall  be  determined  by  the  number 
of  metres  of  the  same  contained  in  one  gramme,  under  reserve 
of  the  deviation  for  raw  and  spun  silk,  as  set  forth  in 
paragraphs  6  and  7. 

3.  The  recognised  length  of  hank  for  all  species  of  unwound 
yams  shall  be  fixed  at  1000  metres  with  decimal  subdivisions. 

4.  Any  system  of  winder  shall  be  allowed  that  gives  1000  metres 
of  yarn  per  hank. 

6.  The  number  of  any  yarn,  whether  twist,  dyed  or  bleached, 
shall  be  determined,  under  reserve  of  contrary  arrangement, 
by  the  number  of  metres  contained  in  one  gramme. 

6.  The  number  of  raw  or  spun  silk  shall  be  expressed  by  the 
number  of  grammes  which  a  thread  of  a  length  of  10,000  metres 
may  weigh. 

7.  Tests  shall  be  made  on  the  basis  of  a  unit  of  length  of 
500  metres,  and  the  unit  of  weight  of  50  milligrammes 
(half-decigram). 

8.  The  legal  basis  of  the  numbering  of  the  spinning  is  the 
conditioning,  which,  although  facultative,  may  be  required  at 
any  time. 

9.  The  conditioning  is  effected  after  complete  drying  of  the  yarn 
without  altering  its  nature,  and  the  dry-weight  is  increased 
by  a  certain  quantity  or  proportion. 

10.    The  fixing  of  the  Number  is  to  take  place  in  accordance  with 
an  exact  method. 

The  Congress  also  recommended  the  adoption  of  the  dimension 
of  the  English  winder  of  1-37°',  this  being  preferable  to  the  others, 
and  pointed  out  further  a  number  of  winders  in  use,  the  dimension 
of  which  fitted  into  the  metric  system.  In  conclusion,  the  Congress 
proposed  certain  standards  for  the  conditioning  of  the  various  species 
of  yarns,  as,  for  instance,  for  cotton  yarns  an  addition  of  8i%  at  a 
temperature  of  105°  to  110°. 

The  practical  realisation  of  the  decisions  arrived  at  by  the  three 
Congresses  mentioned  above  remained  unachieved,  in  spite  of  the  un- 
animity of  the  interested  parties  on  the  Continent. 

This  fact  caused  a  Fourth  International  Congress  to  be  called 
together  in  Paris,  on  the  25th  June,  1878.  This  was  attended  by 
upwards  of  200  delegates,  and  at  this  Congress   English  delegates 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  63 

were  present.  Official  delegates  had  been  sent  by  the  Governments 
of  Austria-Hungary,  Belgium,  Italy,  Switzerland  and  Sweden.  The 
Congress  ratified  all  decisions  of  the  previous  three  Congresses. 

It  further  considered  it  a  special  duty  to  request  the  French 
Government  to  call  together  an  International  Conference.  The  result 
was  that  the  French  Mmister  of  Commerce  promised  his  co-operation, 
but  this  was  of  no  avail  owing  to  the  notorious  fact  that  England 
refused  to  introduce  the  metric  system.  The  Paris  Congress  ex- 
pressed clearly  the  conviction  that  was  steadily  gaining  strength,  that 
success  could  not  be  achieved  in  bringing  about  the  acceptance  of 
the  metric-decimal  numbering  of  yarns  by  mere  resolutions  of  con- 
gresses and  voluntary  agreement  of  the  interested  industries. 

The  cause  of  this  is  the  opposition  of  England  to  the  introduction 
of  the  metric-decimal  system  in  general,  and  its  application  to  the 
spinning  industry  in  particular. 

The  continental  spinners,  although  quite  prepared  to  apply  the 
gramme  metric  numbering  of  yarns,  practically  for  its  own  sake,  are 
to  all  intents  compelled  by  the  influence  of  England  on  the  inter- 
national trade  in  yarns  and  by  her  preponderant  contribution  to  the 
same,  to  conform  to  the  English  customs  regarding  winding,  packing, 
numbering  and  ticketing  of  yarns.  Independent  action  is  made 
difficult  for  them,  so  long  as  the  EngUsh  spinning  industry  declines 
to  accept  the  metric  decimal  numbering  of  yarns. 

The  Paris  Congress,  therefore,  took  the  view  that  the  question 
could  only  be  brought  to  a  successful  issue  by  an  international  agree- 
ment of  the  governments  of  all  the  States  interested,  such  an  agree- 
ment to  be  followed  by  corresponding  legislation  in  the  single  States. 
On  two  points  only  can  the  result  of  the  Paris  Congress  be 
described  as  satisfactory  : — 

France,  in  her  customs  tariff  and  her  treaties  of  commerce, 
fixed  the  duties  on  the  various  yarns  according  to  the  international 
system  of  numbering  ;  further,  the  spinners  of  combed  yarns  on  the 
Continent  and  especially  in  Germany,  introduced  the  international 
numbering  of  yarns. 

Otherwise,  this  Fourth  Congress  gave  no  practical  result. 

After  an  interval  of  22  years,  it  was  again  Paris  that,  during  the 
Universal  Exhibition  of  1900,  became  the  theatre  of  an  imposing 
manifestation  in  furtherance  of  the  introduction  of  a  uniform  number- 
ing of  yarns. 

The  Fourth  International  Congress  held  in  Paris  on  September 
3rd  and  4th,  1900,  at  which  there  were  official  representatives  specially 
appointed  by  the  different  governments,  passed  the  following 
resolutions : — 

1.  For  all  textiles,  under  reserve  of  the  following  exceptions  re- 
garding raw  and  opened  silk,  the  number  shall  be  expressed 
by  the  number  of  metres  per  gramme  or  kilometres  per  kilo- 
gramme. 

2.  For  all  species  of  wound  spinnings  the  length  of  a  Hank 
shall  be  1000  metres,  with  decimal  subdivision. 

3.  Any  system  of  winding  is  allowed,  provided  it  gives  1000 
metres  to  the  Hank. 


64  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

4.  The  number  of  all  twists  shall  be  determined  by  the  number 
of  metres  per  gramme,  or  kilometres  per  kilogramme,  pro- 
vided there  be  no  contrary  arrangement. 

5.  The  standard  of  raw  and  open  silk  shall  be  determined  by  the 
weight  in  half-decigrammes  of  a  length  of  450  metres.  The 
tests  shall  be  made  with  20  skeins  of  450  metres  each,  and  the 
single  results  shall  be  entered  in  usual  form.  Furthermore,  the 
test  report  or  bulletin  indicates  by  the  name  of  "number" 
the  weight  of  10,000  metres  in  grammes. 

The  test  reports  shall  be  drawn  up  in  all  countries  accor- 
ding to  the  same  sample. 

6.  The  basis  of  the  standard  or  numbering  is  the  conditioning. 

7.  The  conditioning  shall  be  facultative,  but  it  shall  be  obliga- 
tory if  one  of  the  parties  demands  it.  It  shall  be  effected  in 
complete  dryness,  without  altering  the  composition  of  the 
yarn  with  the  addition  of  the  usual  proportion  {reprise)  in 
accordance  with  the  local  custom. 

At  the  same  time,  the  Congress  expressed  the  wish  that  a  diplo- 
matic conference  might  take  place,  in  order  to  bring  about  an 
international  agreement  on  the  question  of  the  uniformity  of  the 
numbering  of  yarns. 

In  a  further  resolution,  the  Congress  expressed  the  opinion  that, 
after  the  publication  of  the  laws  and  regulations  passed  by  the  pro- 
posed diplomatic  conference,  it  shall  be  forbidden  to  introduce  into 
those  countries  that  have  adopted  the  new  system,  any  yarns  which 
have  been  wound  in  a  way  rendered  illegal  by  the  action  of  the 
Conference. 

In  conclusion,  the  Congress  recommended  that  a  respite  of  two 
years  should  be  given,  counted  from  the  date  of  the  publication  of  the 
respective  laws,  for  the  enforcing  of  such  new  legal  measures. 

In  the  course  of  the  discussion  the  following  important  points 
were  specially  mentioned  : — 

The  General  Reporter  maintained  that  the  chief  obstacle  to 
the  uniform  numbering  of  yarns  consisted  in  the  refusal  of  England 
to  adopt  the  metric-decimal  system.  Though  he  mentioned  Eng- 
land, it  would  be  more  correct  to  say  the  English  Government, 
since  in  business  circles  in  England  a  growing  willingness  was 
evident  in  favour  of  adopting  this  system.  On  the  other  hand,  Mr. 
Balfour  had  declared  to  a  deputation  from  the  United  British 
Chambers  of  Commerce,  that  he  did  not  consider  the  time  ripe 
for  the  decision  of  this  question,  the  education  of  the  English  people 
in  the  metric  system  of  weights  and  measures  not  being  sufficiently 
advanced.  He  added,  moreover,  that  the  numbering  of  the  various 
species  of  spinnings  was  quite  in  order  so  far  as  English  require- 
ments were  concerned. 

The  official  representative  of  the  German  Empire  stated  that 
in  Germany  nearly  all  the  parties  interested  had  decided  in  favour 
of  the  international  numbering  of  yarns,  and  the  Legislature  was 
furthering  the  practical  introduction  of  such  numbering.  The 
opinions,  however,  were  very  much  divided  as  to  the  advisability  of 
putting  into  force  the  regulation  of  this  question  in  the  continental 
States,  if  England  did  not  participate  therein. 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  65 

From  tliis  consideration  the  German  Imperial  Government  had 
been  unable  to  decide  to  take  up  a  position  in  this  complicated  and 
important  economic  question. 

As  soon  as  it  appeared  certain  that  England  would  be 
prepared  to  join  an  international  agreement  in  this  matter,  then 
would  a  solution  be  near  at  hand  for  Germany. 

A  regulation  could  only  be  brought  about  by  an  international 
agreement,  for  the  Imperial  Government  had  to  take  into  consider- 
ation the  interest  of  those  industries  which  up  till  now  were  in  the 
habit  of  buying  English  yarns  in  English  numbering. 

The  President  of  the  Congress,  an  Austrian  manufacturer, 
Herr  Gustav  v.  Pacher,  who  occupied  the  chair  at  the  Congresses  in 
Turin,  Brussels  and  Paris,  in  1878,  and  had  been  prominently 
active  in  furtherance  of  the  uniform  numbering  of  yarns,  made 
an  interesting  motion. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  English  Government  had  persisted 
in  its  refusal,  in  spite  of  the  wish  of  the  English  Chambers  of  Com- 
merce repeatedly  expressed  during  the  previous  ten  years,  to 
introduce  the  metric-decimal  system  of  weights  and  measures,  Herr 
V.  Pacher  moved  that  for  the  time  being  no  further  effort  should 
be  made  to  obtain  the  participation  of  England,  and  that  the  pro- 
posed international  conference  should  be  restricted  to  those  States 
which  were  in  harmony  with  the  programme  of  the  Congress.  A 
proposal  should  be  made  to  those  States  to  forbid  their  manu- 
facturers to  number  and  wind  their  yarns  in  a  different  fashion 
from  that  prescribed  by  the  resolutions  of  the  Congress,  and  on  the 
other  hand  to  prohibit  the  introduction  of  yarns  wound  in  any 
different  manner.  This,  of  course,  did  not  imply  that  the  introduc- 
tion of  English  yarns,  as  such,  should  be  prohibited,  but  that  ths 
English  spinners  should  be  compelled  to  number  and  wind  those 
yarns  intended  for  export  in  accordance  with  the  metric  system. 

By  this  means  pressure  would  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
English  spinning  industry  to  iirge  its  Government  to  introduce 
the  metric  system. 

This  proposal  found  acceptance  in  that  the  Congress  expressed 
a  wish  for  legislation  for  the  prevention  of  the  import  of  such  yarns 
that  did  not  conform  to  the  decisions  of  the  Congress  in  regard  to 
numbering. 

The  explanations  given  to  the  Congress  by  the  official  repre- 
sentative of  England  were  not  such  as  to  create  any  great  hope 
that  the  decisions  or  resolutions  of  the  Congress  would  soon  be 
realised.  He  stated  that  England,  with  her  duodecimal  system, 
consumed  by  far  the  greatest  part  oif  her  yarn  production,  and  that 
her  colonies,  as  well  as  North  America,  were  likewise  adherents  to 
that  system. 

Besides,  there  was  the  fact  that  the  English  system  of  num- 
bering of  yarns  prevailed  in  the  whole  of  the  international  yarn  trade. 

Consequently,  it  was  impossible  to  compel  the  spinners  to  use 
two  different  systems,  since,  even  in  those  countries  that  have 
adopted  the  metric  system,  the  spinners  refused  to  accept  the 
proposed  alterations. 

The  difficulties  in  the  way  were  more  considerable  than  was 


66  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

supposed.  Under  the  actual  circumstances  it  was  impossible  to 
introduce  in  England  the  metric  numbering  of  yarns.  This  was 
the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  English  spinners.  They  would 
prefer  to  maintain  and  retain  the  English  system,  which  was 
understood  in  all  the  yarn  markets  of  the  world.  He  could  not 
believe  in  the  adoption  of  the  proposed  system. 

The  Congress  nominated  a  Permanent  Commission,  whose 
mandate  has  not  yet  run  out.  The  ofifices  of  the  Secretary  are  in 
Paris,  Rue  d'Uz^s  No.  9.  Nothing  has,  however,  been  made 
known  to  the  public  of  the  workings  of  the  Commission. 

In  the  foregoing  the  endeavours  to  bring  about  a  uniform  num- 
bering of  yarns  have  been  stated  and  characterised  in  so  far  as  they 
were  made  by  the  interested  industries,  and  could  claim  to  be  of 
international  importance. 

Besides  these  prominent  organisations,  similar  endeavours  were 
constantly  made  in  smaller  circles  likewise  interested. 

The  German  Congress  of  Commerce,  i.e.,  the  Union  of  the 
German  Chambers  of  Commerce,  proposed,  in  1875,  to  the  Federal 
Council  of  the  German  Empire,  that  a  law  should  be  passed  em- 
bodying the  resolutions  of  the  Brussels  Congress.  In  the  same 
manner,  the  matter  was  taken  up  by  the  Central  Union  of  German 
Manufacturers,  by  the  Union  of  the  Textile  Manufacturers  in 
Chemnitz,  and  by  a  number  of  German  Chambers  of  Commerce,  but 
without  any  tangible  result. 

The  furtherance  of  the  movement,  at  least  in  Germany,  sustained 
a  severe  check  in  that  the  desires  of  the  spinning  industry  to  base  the 
duties  on  yarn  upon  the  metric  yarn  number,  or  at  least  to  adopt  the 
international  number  along  with  the  English  number,  was  left  out  of 
account  altogether  in  the  framing  and  passing  of  the  new  German 
customs  tariff  of  1902,  which  forms  the  basis  of  the  new  German 
treaties  of  commerce. 

This  was  brought  about  by  the  agitation  of  the  Union  of 
German  Yarn  Consumers,  which  claims  in  the  interest  of  the  con- 
sumers of  yarns,  that  the  unification  of  the  numbering  of  yarns 
should  not  be  introduced  without  the  direct  participation  of  England. 

(B) — Advantages  of  the  Reform  and  Opposition  to  the  same. 

The  most  important  advantage  of  the  metric-decimal  numbering 
of  yarns  consists  in  its  being  in  harmony  with  that  system  of  weights 
and  measures,  which,  in  consequence  of  its  inward,  natural — one 
might  even  say,  organic  advantages  —  has,  with  few  exceptions, 
conquered  the  civilised  world.  Against  it,  the  English  systems  cannot, 
in  the  long  run,  be  upheld,  although  the  well  known  conservatism  of 
the  English  people  might  justify  the  fear  that  it  will  take  a  long  time 
yet  to  educate  the  nation  into  the  acceptance  of  the  new  system  of 
measures.  It  seems,  however,  unfair  to  the  continental  spinners 
that,  just  in  their  branch  of  business,  the  only  system  of  metric  weights 
and  measures  known  to  everybody  on  the  Continent,  as  well  in 
business  as  also  in  private  life,  should  not  be  allowed  to  come  into 
practical  use. 

The  introduction  of  the  metric-decimal  system  of  the  numbering 
of  yarns  does  not  result  in  this  ideal  advantage  alone,  but  also  in 
quite  a  number  of  practical  improvements.     These  comprise  all  those 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  67 

simplifications  necessarily  connected  with  the  use  of  a  system  of 
numeration  based  upon  a  logical  and  organic  mode  of  calculation,  and 
of  an  order  of  weights  and  measures  l)uilt  thereon,  which  simplifi- 
cations are,  for  natural  reasons,  inherent  to  the  decimal  system,  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  though  likewise  for  natural  reasons,  are  foreign  to 
the  English  system.  It  is  impossible  to  enumerate  all  these  advantages. 
Nor  are  they  such  as  could  be  estimated  according  to  a  mere  tabulation. 
Nevertheless,  they  possess  an  extraordinary  economic  value. 

It  is  absurd  and  unfair  that  the  Continent,  which  possesses  the 
ideal  of  a  most  practical,  and  in  itself  most  logical  system  of  weights 
and  measures,  which  system  it  applied  in  all  spheres  of  human 
activity,  whilst  refusing  to  learn  or  know  anything  about  the  English 
pound  at  453i  grammes,  nor  about  the  English  yard  at  0-91  metre, 
nor  about  any  duodecimal  division  of  figures  and  system  of  reckoning  ; 
it  is  absurd,  we  repeat,  that  the  Continent  should  be  compelled  to 
use  just  in  the  yarn  and  twist  trade,  these  old-fashioned  systems  which 
it  generally  cannot  ev^en  examine. 

The  consequence  of  this  is  that,  through  reduction  of  the  original 
number  of  threads,  or  through  the  shortening  of  the  dimension  of  the 
winder,  falsifications  of  quantities  have  crept  in,  an  abuse  that  would 
be  removed  at  one  fell  swoop  by  the  international  legal  introduction 
of  the  metric  system. 

The  further  practical  advantages  mentioned  in  the  international 
discussions  would  be,  that  a  high  degree  of  simplification  would  be 
obtained  in  the  formulas  of  calculations  required  by  the  increasingly 
scientific  technicalities  of  the  process  of  yarn  production,  which 
simplifications  would  likewise  lighten  the  task  of  the  master  spinner. 

'■         The   weaver   who  uses   mixed  spinnings    must    likewise   know 
thoroughly  all  possible  numberings  of  yarns. 

In  many  branches  of  the  yarn  trade  the  result  would  be  greater 
facilities  and  economies  in  handling  business. 

According  to  the  opinion  of  the  writer,  it  would  be  necessary  that 
a  reform  should  be  thought  out  thoroughly  and  in  all  details  right 
from  the  beginning. 

The  dimension  of  the  winder  now  generally  in  use,  of  1-5  yards, 
1-37  metre,  which  gives  for  73  revolutions  100  metres,  should  be 
allowed  for  a  certain  period  of  transition  only,  and,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  general  adoption  of  a  winder  with  a  dimension  of  1"25  metres, 
giving  an  exact  yarn  length  of  100  metres  for  80  revolutions,  should 
be  advocated  on  principle. 

The  equality  of  the  dimension  of  the  winder  for  all  species  of 
yarns  is  indeed  no  imperative  requirement  of  the  metric  numbering 
of  yarns,  provided  that  the  product  of  this  dimension  multiplied  by 
the  number  of  the  revolutions  gives  the  length  of  100  metres  per 
skein  and  therefore  1000  metres  per  hank,  but  the  equality  of  the 
winder  would  be  a  great  advantage  in  the  practical  application  of  the 
system,  a  great  simplification  and  surety  in  its  use. 

It  is,  therefore,  desirable  to  strive  in  order  to  attain  this  equality. 

The  objections  to  the  introduction  of  the  metric  system  are 
chiefly  the  following  : — 

The  continental,  especially  the  German,  yarn  consumer,  as  also 


68  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

the  spinner,  to  a  certain  extent,  state  that  the  introduction  of  the 
metric-decimal  numbering  of  yarns  is  opposed  to  their  interests,  at 
least  so  long  as  England  does  not  adopt  this  system,  or,  what  would 
be  still  better,  does  not  make  the  metric-decimal  measure  and 
weight  system  generally  obligatory.  Unless  an  international 
agreement  be  made,  binding  all  nations  taking  part  in  foreign  trade, 
and  more  especially  England,  to  introduce  the  new  system,  any 
movement  on  the  part  of  a  single  State  therein  interested  would  be 
impossible. 

This  standpoint  was  taken  up  in  Germany  especially  by  a  great 
combination  of  spinners,  the  Verband  Rheinisch-Westfalischer  Baum- 
wollspinner,  which  partially  influenced  the  position  adopted  by  the 
German  Government,  inasmuch  as  the  latter  will  certainly  not  pro- 
ceed in  the  question  of  the  numbering  of  yarns  without  England  in 
the  first  place. 

The  following  views  were  put  forward  above  all  others  by  the 
Association  in  question  : — 

Also  the  circumstance,  that  in  introducing  the  metrical  system 
the  importation  of  other  yarns  to  Germany  than  those  made  up 
metrically  should  be  forbidden,  whilst,  however,  for  purposes  of 
export,  the  making  up  of  yarns  according  to  other  systems  should 
be  allowed,  cannot  warrant  any  movement  without  England.  The 
spinner,  as  a  rule,  does  not  himself  export ;  the  dealers,  dyers,  etc., 
do  this,  and  give  orders  for  whole  lots  to  the  spinners  and  take 
out  of  same  what  they  want,  whether  for  home  consumption  or  for 
export.  If  England  adheres  to  her  system,  the  German  spinner 
must  arrange  for  delivering  yarn  in  both  ways  of  making-up.  Hence 
arises  the  necessity  of  holding  stocks  and  making  such  arrangements 
as  to  machinery,  that  the  latter  shall  be  in  a  position  to  provide  for 
the  entire  production,  both  in  English  and  in  metric  numbering. 
The  spinners,  therefore,  would  require  a  complete  double  arrange- 
ment for  reeling  and  bundles,  which,  in  many  instances,  for 
reasons  connected  with  space  and  other  matters,  is  impossible.  In 
the  German  spinning  mills,  English  machines,  moreover,  are 
principally  in  use,  which  in  all  parts  are  calculated,  constructed  and 
made  according  to  the  English  system.  Besides  this,  the  work  in 
German  spinning  mills  is  so  complicated,  that  the  spinner  cannot 
adopt  two  systems  of  making-up  and  numbering  for  his  yarn, 
especially  as  a  German  spinner  does  not  spin,  as  in  the  case  with 
the  English  spinner,  only  one,  but,  in  most  instances,  very  many 
counts.  Further,  in  the  metric  system  far  more  numbers  come 
under  consideration,  within  the  same  limits  of  fineness,  than  is  the 
case  in  the  English  system. 

These  reasons  are  certainly  not  without  weight,  because  they 
tend  to  prove  that  the  adoption  side  by  side  of  two  different  systems 
of  numbering  is  impracticable.  The  entire  reform  will,  therefore,  prac- 
tically depend  upon  the  fact  whether  the  opposition  of  England  to  the 
introduction  of  the  metric-decimal  system  of  numbering  yarns  can  be  overcome. 

Should  this  not  be  possible,  the  combined  endeavours  of  the  con- 
tinental spinners  will  no  doubt  be  directed  first  of  all,  as  was  already 
brought  forward  in  the  Paris  Congress,  of  1900,  to  make  the  metric 
yarn  system  obligatory  in  their  countries,  and  to  forbid  by  law  the 
sale  of  yarns  made  up  according  to  any  other  numbering.      This 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  G9 

would  assuredly  mean  such  a  serious  disturbance  to  English  spinners 
in  their  business  arrangements,  that  the  demand  for  the  legal  intro- 
duction of  the  metrical  system  in  England  also  would  soon  become 
irresistible. 

The  question  will  be  asked,  whether  the  introduction  of  the 
metrical  yarn  system  in  England  is  possible,  for  which  purpose  an 
understanding  between  the  interested  parties  would,  alone,  certainly 
not  be  sufficient,  but  rather,  to  have  proper  eflect,  a  special  Act  of 
Parliament  will  be  necessary,  before  the  greater  and  more  important 
question  is  solved  in  that  country,  namely,  that  England  shall  give 
up  altogether  its  present  out-of-date  system  of  weights  and  measures, 
and  adopt  the  metric  form  of  weights  and  measures.  Efforts  to  this 
end  have  now  for  a  long  time  been  made,  and  above  all  in  industrial 
and  commercial  circles.  In  connection  therewith,  the  Union  of 
Chambers  of  Commerce  of  the  United  Kingdom  adopted  on  the  15th 
of  March,  1899,  in  London,  the  following : — 

"  In  view  of  the  time  wasted  in  teaching  a  system  of  weights 
and  measures  which,  according  to  the  First  Lord  of  the  Treasury, 
is  'arbitrary,  perverse,  and  utterly  irrational,'  and  in  the  opinion 
of  H.INI.  Consuls  is  responsible  for  great  injury  to  British  trade, 
this  Association  urges  Her  Majesty's  Government  to  introduce  into, 
and  endeavour  to  carry  through  Parliariient  as  speedily  as  possible, 
a  Bill  providing  that  the  use  of  the  metric  system  of  weights  and 
measures  shall  be  compulsory  in  this  country  within  a  period  of  not 
more  than  two  years  from  the  passing  of  the  Bill,  and  suggests 
that  meanwhile  the  system  should  be  adopted  in  all  specifications 
for  government  contracts.  That  a  copy  of  this  resolution  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  the  First  Lord 
of  the  Treasury." 

This  statement  has  since  that  time  been  repeated  every  year  in  a 
more  or  less  energetic  form.  For  instance,  the  Fourth  Congress  of 
Chambers  of  Commerce  of  the  British  Dominions  expressed  itself  in 
London,  on  the  28th  June,  1900,  on  this  matter,  as  follows : — 

"  That  this  Congress  is  of  opinion  that  the  metric  system  of 
weights  and  measures  should,  as  recommended  by  a  Select  Com- 
mittee of  Parliament  in  1895,  be  legalised  in  all  parts  of  the  Empire 
(excepting  India)  for  all  purposes,  and  after  a  period  of  two  years 
be  everywhere  rendered  compulsory  by  Act  or  Ordinance ;  and 
that  meanwhile  the  system  should  be  thoroughly  taught  in  all 
public  elementary  schools  as  a  necessary  branch  of  arithmetic,  and 
that  copies  of  this  resolution  be  sent  to  Her  Majesty's  Government, 
and  her  representatives  in  the  colonies,  with  the  request  that  they 
will  give  immediate  and  full  effect  to  the  proposals  contained 
therein." 

In  the  year  1902,  the  Union  of  Chambers  of  Commerce  of  the 
United  Kingdom  expressed  itself  by  46  against  13  votes  to  be  of  the 
opinion  that,  considered  from  the  standpoint  of  the  British  trade,  the 
obligatory  introduction  of  the  metric  system  of  weights  and  measures 
has  become  an  unavoidable  necessity.  Again,  in  1903  and  1904,  the 
same  opinions  were  expressed  and  the  English  Government  was 
urged  to  immediately  take  steps  to  get  the  measure  through  both 
Houses  of  Parliament. 


INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

The  English  Government  appears,  indeed,  more  and  more  dis- 
posed to  abate  its  previous  decided  opposition,  and  in  the  near 
future  it  will  be  obliged  to  lend  its  aid  to  the  obligatory  introduction 
of  the  metric  system  of  weights  and  measures  into  England  as  well. 

(C) — Bases  for  the  Treatment  of  the  subject  by  the  International  Federation 
of  Cotton  Spinners  and   Weavers. 

The  work  of  the  International  Federation  can,  according  to  the 
points  brought  forward,  only  be  limited  to  smoothing  the  way  for  the 
introduction  of  the  international  numbering  of  yarn,  especially  in 
England.  There  is  all  the  more  opportunity  for  this  because  the 
English  spinning  industry  participates  in  a  prominent  manner 
in  the  formation  and  labours  of  this  Federation,  and  because  it, 
through  its  English  members,  stands  in  an  extraordinarily  favourable 
position  for  promoting  and  pressing  in  the  strongest  and  most 
effective  manner  the  agreement  for  the  new  system,  and  for  the 
introduction  of  the  metric  mode  of  weights  and  measures  in  England 
generally.  Before  the  International  Committee  engages  in  any 
further  work,  it  will  be  advisable  that  it  shall  enquire  in  the  most  careful 
manner  possible  into  the  feelings  and  opinions  of  the  English  spinning  trade. 
Should  it  transpire  that  the  said  industry,  or,  at  any  rate,  an  over- 
whelming majority  thereof,  is  disposed  to  accept  the  new  system,  the 
way  would  thus  be  firmly  laid  for  an  international  understanding 
respecting  the  introduction  of  the  metric  numbering  of  yarns,  and  the 
International  Federation  would  have  achieved  the  fine  and  great 
result  of  having  obtained  what  so  many  important  international 
organisations  had  previously  striven  after  in  vain. 

It  might  likewise  prove  to  be  necessary  and  advisable,  before 
taking  in  hand  any  work  whatsoever,  to  make  careful  enquiries  in 
official  English  circles  as  to  the  prospects  existing  at  the  time  for  the 
legal  obligatory  introduction  of  metric  weights  and  measures  into 
England. 

Should  it  be  found,  after  the  steps  proposed  have  been  taken, 
that  in  the  English  spinning  trade  an  inclination  exists  to  introduce 
the  metric  system  of  numbering,  or  that  there  are  prospects  of  the 
legal  realisation  of  the  metric  system  of  weights  and  measures  in 
England,  the  following  important  consideration  will  have  to  be  taken 
into  account  respecting  the  different  labours  to  be  then  undertaken 
by  the  International  Federation. 

Up  to  the  present  time  the  endeavour  to  base  the  numbering  of 
yarns  on  one  uniform  system  has  not  been  limited  to  the  cotton 
industry  alone,  but  has  been  extended  generally  to  all  branches  of 
the  spinning  industry. 

It  will  be  questioned  whether  the  International  Federation, 
which  really  only  represents  the  interests  of  cotton  industry,  shall  and 
will  be  allowed  to  break  the  continuity  and  consequent  progress  of 
international  efforts  towards  the  uniform  system  of  numbering,  by 
occupying  itself  with  one  single  section  of  the  labours  of  previous 
Congresses,  that  of  the  cotton  industry,  and  limiting  itself  exclusively 
to  the  furthering  of  our  object  for  this  special,  although  most  impor- 
tant branch  of  textile  industry.  It  will  become  a  matter  for  further 
consideration,  whetlier  the  International  Federation  should  not  take 
up  the  question  of  the  numbering  of  yarns  on  the  basis  of  the  very 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  71 

valuable  results  attained  by  the  previous  Congresses  for  all  branches  of 
textile  industry,  and  include  amongst  those  of  its  members  to  which  it 
shall  assign  the  treatment  of  the  question  of  the  numbering  of  yarn, 
members  of  other  branches  of  textile  industry,  in  order  to  continue  in 
this  way,  to  a  certain  extent,  as  a  legal  successor  of  the  previous  in- 
ternational congresses,  the  whole  of  the  labours  of  the  latter,  and 
allow  all  branches  of  textile  industry  to  participate  in  the  advantages 
of  a  uniform  system  of  numbering. 

The  International  Committee  can  only  be  recommended  to  take 
up  a  definite  position  in  the  question  of  the  uniform  numbering  of 
yarn  in  the  appointment  of  a  special  commission  for  the  advancement 
of  this  question,  when  the  aforementioned  important  preliminary 
questions  have  been  solved. 


The   Metric    Sy stein:    Would  its    universal   adoption   be 
advantageous  to  the  Cotton  Trade  or  otherwise? 


The  following  Paper  was  read  by  Mr.  John  R.  Byrom  (England) : — 

Permit  me  at  the  outset  to  thank  Herr  Gross  for  the  admi- 
rable resume  he  has  given  to  the  Congress  of  the  history  of  the 
efforts  which  have  so  far  been  made  to  bring  about  a  universal  system 
of  numbering  yarns;  and  if  I  cannot  agree  with  all  his  conclusions, 
I  trust  my  remarks  will  not  be  translated  in  any  spirit  of  antagonism, 
as  it  would  be  quite  subversive  of  the  aims  and  intentions  of  this 
Congress  if  either  this  or  any  other  subject  should  be  approached  in, 
or  give  rise  to,  any  feeling  of  national  jealousy.  On  the  other  hand, 
I  sincerely  hope  that  our  successive  meetings  may  be  the  means  of 
bringing  us  nearer  to  each  other,  and  of  demonstrating  that  we  have 
so  many  interests  in  common,  that  it  would  be  the  extreme  of  folly  to 
disagree.  Further,  let  me  say  once  for  all,  that  I  do  not  wish  to 
quarrel  with  the  metric  system,  much  less  with  a  decimal  system  ; 
each  has  its  own  peculiar  uses  and  advantages,  but  what  this  Congress 
desires  to  arrive  at  is  the  best  and  simplest  system  for  the  necessities 
of  our  trade. 

I  take  it  we  all  agree  that  a  uniform  system  of  numbering  yarns 
is  desirable  from  an  international  standpoint,  and  this  desire  will 
become  stronger  as  the  nations  get  closer  together. 

But  the  question  is:  Which  system?  I  reply  by  asking:  Which 
system  now  holds  the  field  ?  There  can  only  be  one  answer:  It  is  the 
English  yard  and  pound,  and  the  hank  of  840  yards,  which  is  known 
and  recognised  throughout  the  world,  and  which,  notwithstanding 
legal  enactments  and  conventions,  still  reigns  supreme. 

It  is  over  a  century  since  the  metric  system  was  first  made  com- 
pulsory by  law  in  France,  and  yet  quite  recently  a  French  manufacturer 
had  to  submit  to  a  considerable  claim  for  cloth  exported  to  a  French 


72  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

colony,  because  it  was   folded  in  metres  and  not  in  English   yards. 
The  metre  was  there,  but  the  yard  was  there  before  it. 

I  need  not,  however,  go  beyond  the  paper  we  have  just  heard 
read  for  proof  of  my  position.  Witness  the  stand  taken  by  the  "great 
combination  of  spinners,  the  Verband  Rheinisch-Westfalischer  Baum- 
wollspinner,"  as  quoted  by  my  friend,  and  also  the  action  of  the  German 
Government  in  still  insisting  upon  the  retention  of  the  English  counts 
of  yarn  for  their  revised  tariff.  We  do  not  claim  perfection  for  the 
English  system,  but  the  merits  of  the  yard  and  the  pound  are  such 
as  to  command  the  assent  and  use  of  them  by  a  far  greater  number  of 
people  than  are  using  the  metre  and  the  gramme. 

I  must,  therefore,  most  respectfully  beg  to  differ  from  the  position 
taken  up  in  the  first  paragraph  of  Section  B. 

The  metric  system  may,  and  does,  afford  facilities  for  many 
purposes,  but /(?;' o;/;' z^mi^  there  are  no  "inward,  natural,  or  organic 
advantages"  to  be  found  in  the  metre  or  gramme,  which  are  not 
equally  found  in  the  yard  and  the  pound  ;  and  as  to  the  metric  system 
having  conquered  the  civilised  world,  it  does  not  appear  from  the 
paper  now  under  discussion,  to  have  been  finally  victorious  in  any 
part  of  it,  I  grant  that  many  governments  have  made  it  legal,  our 
own  amongst  them,  but  in  how  many  of  these  countries  does  its  in- 
fluence or  use  extend  beyond  the  port  of  entry  ?  Take  Germany  as 
an  illustration  of  a  country  not  yet  conquered,  and  here  we  must 
always  remember  that  previous  to  the  federation  of  the  German  States, 
almost  every  large  town  had  its  own  system,  and  any  one  system  was 
better  for  a  United  Empire  than  a  multiplicity  of  systems.  The  success 
of  the  kilogramme  especially  was  greatly  facilitated  by  the  fact  that 
the  Zollverein  pound  coincided  exactly  with  the  half-kilo,  so  that  it 
became  a  change  of  name  only  ;  and  yet  when  we  turn  to  the  standards 
of  measure,  we  find  that  there  are  still  in  use,  in  various  parts  of  the 
country,  nine  different  "ells"  in  addition  to  the  EngUsh  yard  and 
the  metre.  These  ells  are  divided  into  inches,  an  inch  varying  from 
^^  to  /g  of  an  ell.  Such  extraordinary  ratios  as  the  following  are  still 
in  use : — The  Prussian  ell,  25|-  inches ;  the  Wiirttemberg  ell,  34|- 
inches;  the  Vienna  ell,  29^  inches.  In  proof  of  this  I  refer  you  to  a 
book,  of  which  the  last,  or  third  edition  was  published  in  1901,  by 
Friedrich  Frowein,  entitled  "  Kalkulator  fiir  Artikel  der  Textil- 
branche."  Indeed  we  have  only  to  consult  the  various  text  books  of 
the  Continent  to  find  that  so  far  from  the  introduction  of  the  metre 
having  simplified  the  various  processes  of  manufacture,  it  has  merely 
added  one  more  to  the  babel  of  standards  already  in  use. 

Neither  years,  nor  centuries  of  years,  will  be  sufficient  to  reduce 
the  world  to  a  dead  level.  We  do  not  attempt  to  measure  the 
ocean  in  "  minims,"  that  standard  is  left  to  the  apothecary,  who 
does  not  wish  to  poison  his  customers ;  and  whilst  the  astronomer  may 
be  allowed  to  give  us  the  weight  of  the  sun  in  kilogrammes,  we  may 
safely  leave  the  jeweller  to  his  "  carat." 

I  now  come  to  the  hardship  complained  of  by  our  friend.  "It 
seems  unfair  to  continental  spinners,"  says  he,  "that  just  in  their 
branch  of  business  the  only  system  of  metric  weights  and  measures 
known  to  everybody  on  the  Continent,  as  well  in  business  as  also  in 
private  life,  should  not  be  allowed  to  come  into  practical  use."  Again, 
he  says,  "  It  is  absurd  and  unfair  that  the  Continent  should  be  com- 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  78 

pelled  to  use  just  in  the  yarn  and  twist  trade,  these  old-fashioned  systems 
which  it  generally  cannot  even  examine."  But  in  another  place  he 
admits  that  "  in  German  spinning  mills,  English  machines  are  princi- 
pally  in  use,  which  in  all  their  parts  are  calculated,  constructed  and 
made  according  to  the  English  system,"  and  also  it  seems  these  very 
spinners  refuse  to  adopt  a  new  system  alongside  the  old  one,  and,  I 
should  say,  very  properly  so.  Think  of  it !  Not  only  are  these  machines 
in  Germany  "  calculated,  constructed  and  made  according  to  the  En- 
glish system,"  but  so  are  all  the  machines  in  this  country,  in  the 
United  States,  and  Canada,  and  other  colonies ;  all  the  machines  in 
India,  in  Japan,  in  China  and  Russia;  and,  we  may  add,  all  the 
machines  in  most  other  parts  of  the  Continent  itself.  Where  then 
comes  the  hardship  ?  Does  it  not  arise  with  the  advocates  of  the 
metric  system  who  ask  us  to  alter  all  our  machinery ;  to  revolutionise 
all  our  industries,  and  to  undertake  the  initiation  of  all  our  old 
customers,  in  civilised  and  uncivilised  countries,  the  world  over,  into 
a  new  system  of  weights  and  measures  ? 

Then  as  to  the  contention  that  it  is  England  alone  which  stands  in 
the  way  of  this  Utopia,  and  that  it  is  "only  just  in  the  Cotton  Spinning 
business  where  the  metric-decimal  system  cannot  be  applied ;  "  what 
about  the  silk  trade  whose  headquarters  are  in  France,  and  with 
respect  to  which  I  notice  that  a  different  conclusion  was  arrived  at  in 
each  of  the  five  conventions.  The  most  recent  recommendation  for 
that  trade  was  not  metric  in  the  true  sense,  and  none  of  the  recommen- 
dations of  the  five  conventions  have  been  brought  into  practical  use. 
Many  other  trades  might  be  mentioned,  but  surely  this  one  is  sufficient 
to  shew  that  it  is  not  "England  alone,"  nor  "  only  just  in  the  cotton 
spinning  trade,"  that  the  difficulty  arises. 

Then  again,  England  is  not  so  conservative  that  she  cannot  adopt 
a  change  when  any  advantage  is  to  be  derived  by  it.  For  example, 
take  the  action  of  Liverpool,  perhaps  the  most  conservative  of  our 
cities,  in  the  adoption  of  decimals  for  cotton  quotations,  and  also  in 
discarding  the  use  of  the  1121b.  cwt.  in  the  weighing  and  invoicing  of 
cotton. 

But,  when  this  country  is  asked  to  adopt  a  new  system  of  weights 
and  measures,  which  adoption  would  involve  all  the  other  English- 
speaking  countries — a  system  which  it  has  been  estimated  would  cost 
our  engineers  alone  at  least  £100,000,000,  and  which  in  short  would 
throw  all  our  industries  into  confusion,  surely  it  is  prudence,  and  not 
mere  conservatism  which  calls  for  a  pause,  and  asks  the  question  :  For 
what  reason  make  we  this  change,  and  what  great  benefit  are  we  to 
gain  ? 

This  question  brings  me  to  notice  the  inducement  promised. 
That  the  introduction  of  the  metric-decimal  system  will  result  in  "  quite 
a  number  of  practical  improvements."  I  am  sorry  that  Herr  Gross 
did  not  proceed  to  point  out  in  detail  what  some  of  these  "practical 
improvements"  consist  of.  On  the  other  hand,  my  friend,  Mr. 
Roberts,  will  shortly  shew  you  that  a  very  great  many  practical 
difficulties  would  at  once  be  encountered. 

The  hank  of  840  yards  and  its  relation  to  the  pound,  constituting 
the  counts  or  number,  is  the  basis  on  which  every  process  throughout 
the  mill  is  calculated,  indeed  it  regulates  every  phase  of  the  industry 


74  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

from  the  cotton  field  to  the  retail  counter,  it  is  understood  by  all  our 
workpeople,  and  forms  the  mode  in  which  we  think  and  speak.  The 
denomination  of  yarn  by  the  counts  or  numbers  has  been  carried  by  our 
commerce  into  every  part  of  the  world,  and  to  alter  it  would  involve  a 
complete  revolution,  both  in  our  mills  and  markets,  at  home  and  abroad, 
and  we  utterly  fail  to  see  where  we  should  be  benefited.  Calculations 
would  not  be  simplified,  but  very  much  complicated ;  our  markets 
would  not  be  increased,  but  more  likely  greatly  restricted ;  it  would 
take  generations  to  make  the  new  system  as  familiar  as  the  present, 
and  meanwhile  confusion  would  reign  and  our  trade  diminish. 

Coming  now  to  section  C,  we  join  in  the  enquiry  :  How  far  can 
this  International  Federation  act  in  this  matter  ?  and  I  agree  with  the 
writer  that  "  before  the  International  Committee  takes  any  further  step, 
it  will  be  advisable  that  it  shall  enquire  in  the  most  careful  manner 
possible  into  the  feelings  and  opinions  of  English  spinners  and  manu- 
facturers." And  here  let  me  warn  our  continental  friends  not  to  be  led 
away  by  the  resolutions  passed  by  Chambers  of  Commerce,  nor  even 
by  the  action  of  our  House  of  Lords.  In  the  latter  case  I  may 
mention  that  the  "  Select  Committee,"  which  sat  last  year  to  take 
evidence  on  the  Bill,  did  not  call  a  single  witness  to  represent  the 
textile  trades  and  allied  industries. 

I  would,  however,  ask  them  to  make  the  most  careful  enquiries 
whilst  in  this  country  as  to  the  prospects  of  England  adopting  the 
metric  system,  and  I  beg  to  assure  them  that  anything  we  can  do 
to  help  them  to  arrive  at  a  true  decision  will  be  readily  accorded. 
As  to  the  feelings  of  English  spinners,  they  will  probably  ascertain 
what  these  are  w^ithout  going  outside  this  Congress. 

I  also  agree  that  if  a  "  Universal  Hank  "  is  arrived  at,  it  would 
be  necessary  to  consult  the  other  textile  trades  before  embarking  on 
any  scheme. 

I  am  conscious  that  I  have  only  very  inadequately  expressed 
my  feelings  as  to  the  serious  difficulties  the  proposed  change  would 
lead  us  into.  Whatever  be  the  result  of  the  discussion,  I  sincerely 
hope  that  nothing  will  be  done  without  the  gravest  and  most  careful 
consideration. 

We  must  not  act  in  haste;  there  will  be  no  leisure  to  repent. 
We  begin  by  being  unanimous  in  the  belief  that  a  universal  system 
of  yarn  numbering  would  be  advantageous  from  an  international  point 
of  view,  and  I  trust  that  if  not  of  this  Congress,  then  of  some  one 
of  its  successors,  it  will  be  recorded  that  we  have  finally  solved  the 
difficulty. 


A    Cotton    Cloth   Manufacturer's   Case   against   the   Metric 
System. 

The  following  Paper  was  read  by  Mr.  T.  Roberts  (England) : — 

I  wish  it  to  be  thoroughly  understood  at  the  opening  of  my 
paper  that  I  do  not  object  to  the  metric  system  as  a  system,  but 
in  so  far  as  the  metre — on  which  is  based  the  system  we  are  con- 
sidering— and  the  derivatives  of  the  metre,  are  incommensurable  with 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  75 

any  of  our  English  measurements,  I  have  strong  objections  to  it,  and 
I  will  endeavour  to  point  out  how  its  introduction  would  detrimentally 
affect  the  trade  or  business  of  a  cotton  cloth  manufacturer  and  the 
internal  working  of  the  weaving  mill. 

The  equivalents  I  have  adopted  in  my  calculations  and  com- 
parisons are  those  decided  upon  by  an  International  Committee, 
which  fixed  the  metre  (the  unit  of  length)  at  39-;-i707904  inches,  and 
the  gramme  (the  unit  of  weight)  at  -00220462  lb.  avoirdupois. 

The  first  point  to  be  considered  in  cloth  making  is  what  we 
term  the  "  counts  "  of  the  yarn  to  be  used.  Under  the  metric  system 
the  term  would  be  changed  to  "  Metre  Numbers,"  or  "  Metre 
Numbering,"  and  these  metre  numbers  are  arrived  at  as  follows: — 

1000  metres  weighing  500  grammes  =  No.  1  Metre  Numbers. 
This  gives  the  formula : — 

500  Grammes  __         xt      i 

—  =  Metre  Numbers. 


Weight  of  1000  Metres  in  Grammes 

Illustration : — If   1000   metres  weigh    15-62   grammes,  what   are   the 
Metre  Numbers  ? 

15-62)500-00(32 
468-6 


31-40 
31-24 


Answer,  32's. 

I  now  draw  your  attention  to  a  comparison  of  our  English 
Counts  with  Metre  Numbers.  The  change  from  one  to  the  other  is 
made  by  multiplying  by  a  constant  obtained  as  follows : — 

Metric  System. 

1000  Metres  per     500  Grammes  =  Metre  Number. 
or  1094  Yards      „     7716  Grains'''    =  Metre  Number. 
*1  Gramme  =  15432  Grains. 

English  System. 

840  Yards  per  7000  Grains  =  Counts, 
or  1094  Yards    „     9117  Grains  =  Counts. 

Producing 

Weight  of  1094  Yards  |  ^9^17 
No.  Is  Counts        .       ~ 


,  ..  n-i  c  1  Multiplier  for  converting 


Weight  of  1094  Yards  ]      r-rj.n  r^l^Z. 

xr^  ie  KT.f.o  M^o        ='716  I         Counts 


Metre    Numbers   to 


\ 


No.  Is  Metre  Nos 

Weight  of  1094  Yards  1  _  7710  / 

No.  Is  Metre  Nos.      -''^'^  ( 


o</«oo  '  Multiplier  for  converting 


Weigh,  of  1094  Yards  I     gjl,  [  %ZL. 


Counts     to     Metre 


No.  Is  Counts       ...  j 


76  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Counts  and  their  Equivalents  in  Metre  Numbers. 
Counts  Metre  Numbers 

24s             become  20-312 

25s  „  21-158 

26s  „  22-005 

27s  „  22-851 

28s  „  23-697 

29s  „  24-544 

30s  „  25-390 

31s  „  26-236 

82s  „  27-083 

83s  „  27-929 

34s  „  28-776 

35s  „  29-622 

36s  „  30-468 

87s  „  31-314 

38s  „  32-161 

39s  „  33-007 

40s  „  33-853 

Having  decided  upon  the  yams  from  which  it  is  intended  to 
make  a  cloth,  the  next  points  to  be  considered  are  the  width  and 
length  of  the  cloth,  and  in  order  to  make  clear  my  subsequent 
references  to  these  measurements  I  give  here  tables  of  comparison 
between  our  English  inch  and  yard,  and  the  metric  equivalents 
of   centimetre  and  metre. 


English  Inches 

Centimetres 

English  Yards 

Metres 

30 

76-2 

30 

27-43 

31 

78-74 

81 

28-345 

32 

81-28 

32 

29-26 

33 

83-82 

33 

30-174 

34 

86-36 

34 

31-088 

35 

88-9 

35 

820 

36 

91-44 

36 

82-916 

37 

93-98 

37 

33-831 

38 

96-52 

38 

34-746 

39 

99-06 

39 

35-66 

40 

101-6 

40 

86-574 

46 

116-84 

50 

45-716 

48 

121-92 

60 

64-86 

50 

1270 

75 

68-577 

52 

132-08 

80 

73-148 

56 

142-24 

100 

91-451 

60 

152-4 

120 

109-72 

I  would  draw  your  particular  attention  to  the  increase  in  the 
number  of  figures  required  to  express  width  and  length  in  metric  terms. 
Take  as  an  example,  120  yards  32-inch  cloth  (of  which  very  many 
thousand  pieces  are  made  each  week),  converted  into  metric  terms 
it  becomes  109-72  metres,  81-28  centimetres.  Again,  38  yards 
38-inch  cloth  will  read  84-746  metres,  96-52  centimetres. 

In  each  of  these  illustrations  the  English  terms  are  expressed 
by  5  and  4  figures  respectively,  whilst  each  of  the  metric  terms 
requires  9  figures  and  the  decimal  points  twice  used  to  approximately 
express  the  same  meaning. 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  77 

Dhooties. 

In  this  country  we  have  a  very  large  and  important  trade  which 
s  called  the  "  Dhootie,"  or  Scarf  Trade,  and  I  would  draw  special 
attention  to  the  most  serious  difficulties  that  the  change  would  create 
in  the  manipulation  of  this  style  of  goods.  These  goods  are  made 
in  any  lengths,  and  I  give  here  a  table  of  comparison  of  a  few  of 
them. 

English  Yards  Metres 

2-5  2-285 

8  2-743 

8-5  8-2 

4  8-657 

5  4-572 

6  5-486 

7  6-4 

8  7-315 

9  8-229 

10  9-144 

11  10-058 

12  10-972 

Take  one  simple  illustration — here  I  dare  not  attempt  a  com- 
parison of  reeds  and  picks — 10  yards  40-inch  cloth  becomes  9-144 
metres,  101"6  centimetres. 

Any  Dhootie  manufacturer  will  agree  with  me  that  the  particulars 
of  this  class  of  cloth  are  complicated  enough  without  the  change. 

Another  illustration  of  the  great  difficulties  to  be  faced  by  us 
in  the  event  of  a  change  to  the  metric  system  is  shewn  in  the 
following  table,  which  compares  the  number  of  threads  per  quarter 
inch,  and  the  number  of  threads  per  centimetre : — 

Threads  per  ^-inch  Threads  per  centimetre 

15  23-69 

16  25-18 

17  26-76 

18  28-34 

19  29-92 

20  31-49 

21  38-06 

22  34-64 
28  36-21 

24  37-78 

25  39-35 

26  40-92 

27  42-51 

28  44-08 

29  45-65 
80  47-24 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  our  old  ^-inch  counting  will 
have  to  give  way  to  something  different,  either  to  a  certain  number 
of  millimetres  or  to  the  centimetre  counting.  But  this  is  not  by  any 
means  the  worst  phase  of  the  change,  we  shall  be  compelled  to  do 
away  with  our  inch  counts. 


78  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Inch   Counts. 

In  this  country  there  is  a  very  large  trade  done  where  the  par- 
ticulars are  given  out  by  the  merchant  to  the  manufacturer  in  what  are 
termed  "  inch  counts,"  that  is,  the  cloth  must  have  a  stipulated  number 
of  threads  in  the  warp  and  in  the  weft,  per  inch. 

Unfortunately,  we  have  no  exact  equivalent  in  the  metric  system 
to  our  inch.     The  nearest  we  can  get  is : — 


metres. 

English  Inches, 

25 

= 

0-98245 

26 

= 

1-02362 

If  it  were  decided  to  use  the  25  millimetres  in  place  of  the  inch, 
then  our  standard  would  be  lowered  by  2%,  or,  if  the  26  millimetres 
were  used,  then  our  standard  would  be  raised  2%.  I  beg  to  submit, 
that  a  standard  like  ours  for  cloth  making,  which  has  been  in 
use  since  cloth  making  began,  should  not  lightly  be  altered.  This 
question  is  a  serious  one,  and  requires  the  most  careful  thought  and 
consideration  of  every  merchant  and  manufacturer  in  the  trade,  before 
allowing  any  alteration  to  be  made. 

Using  the  tables  as  given,  it  will  be  interesting  to  take  one  or  two 
illustrations  as  to  their  application  by  the  Cotton  Cloth  Manufacturer 
attending  Manchester  Exchange. 

Under  the  present  system  of  English  terms,  the  manufacturer 
would  get,  say,  the  following  enquiry  : — 

Inches  Yards  |-inch  Counts  Yarns 

38  38  16  X  16  34/88 

Convert  this  enquiry  to  metric  terms  and  we  get  the  following : — 
Centimetres         Metres         Per  Centimetre         Metre  Numbers 
96-52  34-74  25-18  x  25-18  28-782/32-174 

The  English  terms  require  12  figures. 

Metric  Equivalents  require  26  figures  and  6  decimal  points. 

I  cannot  give  an  illustration  of  the  comparison  of  "  Inch  Counts  " 
reed  and  pick,  because,  as  I  stated  earlier  in  my  paper,  there  is  no 
exact  metric  equivalent  for  our  English  inch. 

I  now  give  an  illustration  of  a  Dhootie  cloth. 


English  Terms: 

— 

Inches 

Yards 

^-inch  Counts 

Yarns 

40 

2/6 

18  X  20 

34/40 

^-inch  coloured  border. 
Metric  Terms  : — 

Centimetres         Metres         Per  Centimetre         Metre  Numbers 
101-6  2/4-572         28-34  x  81-49  28-775/38-858 

6.3499mm  coloured  border. 
The  English  terms  require  14  figures. 

Metric  equivalents  require  82  figures  and  7  decimal  points. 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  79 

Continental   Reckoning. 

Last  year  when  I  had  the  honour  of  attending  the  First  Inter- 
national Congress  held  at  Zurich,  a  Swiss  gentleman  (a  cotton 
manufacturer)  gave  me  his  method  of  calculating  the  weight  of  yarn 
required  to  make  a  piece  of  cloth.  I  sincerely  hope  that  gentleman 
will  forgive  me  making  use  of  his  figures  as  an  illustration  against 
the  introduction  of  the  metric  system  to  the  cotton  trade  of  this 
country. 

You  will  notice  that  the  particulars  are  not  by  any  means  in 
metric  terms,  but  the  resulting  weight  is  got  out  in  kilogrammes. 

To  understand  the  problem  thoroughly,  I  must  give  another  com- 
parative table  which  brings  in  a  term  used  in  P' ranee,  namely,  the 
Paris  inch.     The  equivalents  are  : — 

Centimetres  Paris  Inches  English  Inches 

90  =  33-246  =  35-433 

Particulars  of  cloth  calculated  : — 

Centimetres  Metres         Threads  English  Yarn  Counts 

90  96  19  X  21  38/44 

I  must  explain  here  that  the  threads  are  19  x  21  per  \  Paris 
inch,  and  must  be  multiplied  by  4  to  bring  them  to  the  Paris  inch, 
when  we  have  the  problem  stated  as  under  to  get  the  weight  of 
warp : — 

Width  in  Taped  Length     Ends  per     j^g^j-gg         Constant  to 

French  Inches        Eng.  Yards       F'nch  In.  convert  to  Kilos 

33i  X  105         X         76      X      100        x        -46 

840  X  38  X  96 

English  Hanks  Counts  Metres 

This  equals  3-98  kilos,  and  requires  173  figures  to  get  at  the  result. 
To  get  the  weight  of  weft  we  take  the  following  figures : — 

Width  in  Taped  Length     Ends  per     ]yjg|.j.gg  Constant  to 

French  Inches        Eng,  Yards        F'nch  In.  '  convert  to  Kilos 

33i  X  105  X         84       X       100        x         -46 

840  X  44  X  96 

English  Hanks  Counts  Metres 

This  equals  3-8  kilos,  and  requires  156  figures  to  get  at  the  result. 
Compare  this  method  of  calculation  with  ours  : — 
For  weight  of  warp : — 

English  Inches         Yards         Per  i-inch         English  Counts 
35-5  105  19  X  21  38/44 

35-5  X  105  X  76  ^  g.Q7  1^3  ,.  ^  4  l^il^^^ 

840  X  38  ,  22046  lbs.  =  1  kilogramme. 

This  requires  96  figures  to  get  at  the  result. 

For  weight  of  weft : — 

35-5  X  105  X  84  ^  g.^^  ^^^^  ^  3.34  j^-j^^^ 

840  X  44 

This  requires  85  figures  to  get  at  the  result. 


80  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

The  method  adopted  by  me  for  calculating  on  the  English  system 
may  possibly  meet  with  some  criticism  from  some  English  manu- 
facturers, but  I  could  not  make  a  true  comparison  of  the  number  of 
figures  required  in  any  other  way. 

You  will  notice  that  the  method  of  calculation  used  by  my  Swiss 
friend  required  329  figures,  whilst  on  the  English  terms  and  method 
181  figures  only  are  required,  the  result  being  the  same  for  all  practical 
purposes. 

There  must  of  necessity  be  far  greater,  danger  of  error  in  such  a 
complicated  system  of  calculation,  requiring  so  many  figures  more 
than  our  own  system. 

If  the  metric  system  became  compulsory  in  this  country,  we* 
English  manufacturers  would  have  to  face  many  difficulties  and  great 
expense  in  the  internal  arrangements  of  our  mills  and  of  our  machinery. 

We  have  in  our  beaming  frames,  measuring  rollers  which  are 
generally  18  inches  in  circumference.  This  must  be  called  45-72 
centimetres. 

Our  measuring  roller  in  the  tape  frame  which  is  14-4  inches  in 
circumference  would  become  36-55  centimetres. 

The  taking-up  roller  in  the  loom  instead  of  being,  say,  15  inches 
circumference,  would  become  33-1  centimetres,  and  the  wheel  required 
to  give  the  pick  must  not  be  per  quarter  inch,  but  per  centimetre. 

All  the  loom  widths  would  have  to  be  altered  from  inches  to 
centimetres. 

All  the  reeds  in  use  will  be  wrongly  marked,  as  they  are  marked 
at  present  by  the  number  of  dents  per  inch. 

The  Uniform  List  of  Prices  for  Weaving,  which  has  cost  so  much 
time  and  labour  to  bring  to  its  present  more  or  less  satisfactory 
position,  would  have  to  be  altered.  The  list  is  based  on  reed  space  in 
inches,  picks  per  quarter  inch,  lengths  in  yards  of  36  inches,  and  counts 
of  twist  and  weft  as  at  present  understood.  This  must  all  give  way  to 
centimetres,  metres,  and  metre  numberings,  necessitating  the  revision 
and  re-arrangements  of  the  whole  list,  resulting  in  the  direst  confusion 
and  leading  to  the  gravest  consequences  owing  to  the  confidence  it 
would  lose  and  the  suspicion  it  would  create  in  the  minds  of  employers 
and  employed. 

If  we  adopt  the  metric  system,  the  whole  of  our  records  shewing 
how  we  have  made  our  cloth  in  the  past  will  be  of  no  use  for  easy 
reference,  as  these  records  would  all  have  to  be  converted  to  metric 
terms  before  we  should  be  able  to  compare  anything  we  might  wish  to 
make  at  the  present  time. 

Again,  all  our  literature,  text-books,  etc.,  on  cotton  weaving, 
would  become  obsolete,  and  therefore  useless. 

And   Why   Should   We   Change  ? 

Why  should  we  give  up  a  system  which  has  been  in  use  in  this 
country  from  time  immemorial,  and  upon  which  we  have  built  up  a 
trade  which  I  venture  to  assert  is  second  to  none  ?  A  system  in  which 
we  have  educated  our  customers  in  India,  China,  Japan,  and  the  rest  of 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  81 

the  world  wherever  customers  are  to  be  found.  If  we  were  to  change 
our  system  to-day,  and  at  the  same  time  found  it  impossible  to  persuade 
China,  Japan  and  other  large  customers  to  change  with  us,  what  would 
be  the  resulting  effect  upon  us  ?  We  should  be  compelled  to  either 
discard  the  metric  system,  or  allow  our  trade  to  be  taken  from  us  by 
our  friends  in  the  United  States  of  America,  who  are  opposed  to  any 
change  which  will  cause  them  to  give  up  the  English  inch,  yard  or 
pound. 

In  conclusion,  I  have  the  authority  of  Mr.  Henry  Higson,  the 
President  of  the  North  and  North- East  Lancashire  Cotton  Spinners' 
and  Manufacturers'  Associations,  representing  over  300,000  looms,  for 
stating  that  the  consensus  of  opinion  of  that  Association  is  against 
the  metric  system  being  introduced  into  the  cotton  weaving  trade. 


Metric  System  of  Weights  aiid  Measures. 


The  following  Paper  was  read  by  Monsieur  F.  Roy  (France) : — 

The  Directors  of  the  Permanent  International  Committee  for  a 
Uniform  System  of  Numbering  Yarns  have  noted  with  interest  the 
report  which  Herr  Ferd.  Gross  presented  to  the  International  Com- 
mittee of  the  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  and  Manufacturers'  Associa- 
tions, assembled  at  Brussels  on  the  10th  April,  1905,  which  report  is 
to  be  discussed  at  the  Manchester  Congress. 

The  Committee  fully  appreciate  the  support  lent  by  Herr  Ferd. 
Gross  to  the  ideas  which  it  is  their  aim  to  propagate.  They  also  con- 
gratulate themselves  on  the  facilities  given  them  for  bringing  the 
matter  to  the  notice  of  the  International  Federation,  and  for  the  oppor- 
tunity of  reviewing  the  efforts  they  have  made  since  they  began  their 
work  in  1900.  We  notice  that  Herr  Gross  reproaches  the  Committee 
with  not  having  published  anything  since  that  time. 

In  the  first  place  we  give  below  the  resolutions  and  suggestions 
which  the  Committee  aim  at  carrying  out : — 

Resolutions  and  Suggestions  adopted  by  the  International  Congress  for  a 
Uniform  System  of  Numbering  Yarns,  held  at  Paris  in  1900. 

First  Resolution :  For  all  textile  materials,  with  the  reserve 
hereafter  stated  concerning  raw  and  spun  silks,  the  counts  are 
expressed  by  the  number  of  metres  to  the  gramme  or  of  kilometres 
to  the  kilogramme. 

Second  Resolution  :  The  length  of  the  hank,  admitted  for  all 
kinds  of  wound  yarn,  is  fixed  at  1,000  metres  with  decimal  sub- 
divisions. 

Third  Resolution:  Every  system  of  winding  is  allowed,  pro- 
vided it  gives  1,000  metres  to  the  hank. 

Fourth  Resolution  :  The  count  of  all  twisted  thread  is  deter- 
mined, if  nothing  be  stipulated  to  the  contrary,  by  the  number  of 
metres  per  gramme  or  kilometres  per  kilogramme. 


82  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Fifth  Resolution  :  The  classification  of  raw  and  spun  silk  is 
determined  by  the  weight  in  half-decigrammes  of  a  length  of  450 
metres. 

The  tests  will  be  made  on  20  skeins  of  450  metres,  and  the 
partial  results  will  be  entered  in  the  usual  way. 

Further,  the  report  will  indicate,  under  the  denomination  of 
"  number,"  the  weight  in  grammes  of  10,000  metres. 

In  all  countries  the  report  showing  the  numbering  will  be 
drawn  up  on  the  said  model. 

Sixth  Resolution  :  The  basis  of  the  classification  and  count  is 
the  conditioning. 

Seventh  Resolution  :  The  conditioning  will  be  optional,  but  it 
will  become  obligatory  at  the  request  of  one  of  the  parties. 
Absolute  dryness  must  be  observed  in  the  conditioning,  without 
taking  the  nature  out  of  the  yarn,  and  adding  to  the  weight  the 
percentage  of  regain  fixed  by  local  usage. 

First  Suggestion:  The  Congress  is  of  opinion  that,  for  France, 
in  accordance  with  the  proposal  of  the  Committee  of  organisation 
of  the  Congress  of  1900  : 

1.  The  royal  ordinance  of  26th  May,  1819,  should  be  revoked, 

and  replaced  by  an  order  requiring,  for  cotton,  woollen, 
and  waste  silk  (schappe),  that  the  count  should  be  based 
on  the  number  of  kilometres  contained  in  a  kilogramme. 

2.  The  law  of  13th  June,  1866,  concerning  raw  and  spun  silk, 

should  be  modified,  and  the  classification  admitted  by  the 
Congress,  and  based  on  the  weight  in  half-decigrammes 
of  the  skein  of  450  metres,  should  be  adopted  as  a  legal 
numbering. 

Second  Suggestion  :  The  Congress  is  of  opinion  that  a  diplo- 
matic Conference  should  take  place  in  order  to  arrive  at  an 
international  understanding. 

Third  Suggestion  :  The  Congress  is  of  opinion  that  after  the 
promulgation  of  the  laws  and  decrees  enacted  in  consequence  of 
the  international  diplomatic  Conference,  the  importation  of  foreign 
yarns  wound  in  any  way  which  has  become  illegal  should  be  for- 
bidden in  the  countries  which  have  adopted  the  new  system. 

Fourth  Suggestion :  The  Congress  is  of  opinion  that  a  lapse  of 
two  years,  from  the  time  of  the  promulgation  of  the  laws  and 
decrees  in  the  different  countries,  should  be  granted  for  the  appli- 
cation of  those  new  legal  measures. 

By  a  circular,  dated  1st  February,  1901,  the  Directors  of  the 
Permanent  Committee  pointed  out  to  all  the  foreign  members  under 
what  conditions  the  convocation  of  the  diplomatic  Conference,  men- 
tioned in  the  suggestions  of  the  Congress,  could  take  place  : 

*'  A  diplomatic  Conference  must  come  to  a  preliminary  under- 
standing, and,  in  the  present  case,  it  is  necessary,  before  this  Con- 
ference can  be  summoned,  that  all  the  Governments  taking  part 
therein,  shall  in  advance  agree  to  introduce,  in  their  respective 
countries,  a  uniform  system  of  numbering  yarns  conjointly  with 
other  countries.    The  members  of  the  Conference  will  assemble 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  88 

afterwards   only  for  the  purpose    of  studying   how  to    put  tlie 
reform  into  practice  and  of  signing  the  diplomatic  agreement." 

In  reply  to  this  note,  Herr  Vogel  (Germany),  stated  in  the  first 
place,  that  the  German  Government  advocated  the  metrical  system  of 
numbering. 

Herr  v.  Packer  (Austria)  announced  that  the  Austrian  Govern- 
ment would  follow  the  example  of  Germany. 

The  replies  from  Italy,  Spain  and  Switzerland  were  favourable. 

However,  shortly  afterwards,  we  learned  that  a  very  strong 
opposition  was  about  to  be  made  to  our  plans  by  the  Unions  of 
Manufacturers  in  Germany,  the  latter  wishing  to  remain  free  to  in- 
troduce yarns  numbered,  wound  and  bundled  in  the  English  way, 
and  the  German  Government  declared  that  it  would  not  run  counter 
to  this  manifestation. 

This  is  a  grave  obstruction,  for  the  Congress  had  recognised  that 
it  was  not  admissible  for  the  Government  to  forbid  the  national  spin- 
ners to  number  and  make  up  their  yarns  otherwise  than  according  to 
the  metric  system,  whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  permitting  the  introduc- 
tion of  foreign  yarns  numbered  and  made  up  in  the  English  fashion. 

All  the  efforts  of  the  Committee,  and  particularly  those  of  their 
German  and  Austrian  members,  were  concentrated  upon  trying  to 
persuade  these  industrial  bodies  not  to  maintain  their  veto. 

The  Committee  were  later  on  able  to  ascertain  that  this  opposi- 
tion arose  in  part  from  the  discussion  pending  with  respect  to  German 
customs  tariffs.  The  manufacturers  were  then  carrying  on  a  campaign 
in  order  that  the  English  system  of  counts  should  be  maintained  in 
the  classifications  of  the  custom-house  tariffs,  and  this  was  because 
they  feared  that  the  spinning  trade  would  profit  by  the  transformation 
of  English  counts  into  metric  numbering  to  obtain  a  modification  of 
the  categories  to  the  detriment  of  manufacturers,  i.e.  of  the  weaving 
trade. 

Not  only  were  the  efforts  of  the  members  of  the  Committee  of  no 
avail  in  inducing  the  German  manufacturers  to  consent  to  the  for- 
bidding of  the  introduction  of  yarns  numbered  and  bundled  in  any 
other  w^ay  than  by  the  metric  system,  but  their  efforts  were  equally 
vain  when  they  sought  to  bring  it  about  that  the  classification  of  the 
custom-house  Tariff  for  yarns  should  be  metrical.  In  order  to 
support  the  steps  taken  by  Herren  Max  Frey  (Mulhouse),  Oscar 
Haarhaus  (Elberfeld),  H.  Vogel  (Chemnitz),  in  this  direction  the 
Directors  of  the  Committee  paid  a  visit  in  October,  1901,  to  Mr. 
Foerster,  the  Director  of  the  Observatory  of  Berlin,  who  was  at 
Paris  in  order  to  preside  at  the  International  Conference  re  Weights 
and  Measures.*  Mr.  F'oerster  seemed  very  much  astonished  that  any 
other  measure  than   metric  measure  could  be  found  in  a  project  of 

♦  The  Directors  had  presented  themselves  before  the  members  of  the  Conference,  which  latter, 
acting  upon  a  report,  had  made  the  following  suggestion  : — 

"That  all  countries  should  come  to  an  agreement  in  order  to  adopt  as  a  classification  of  silk 

and  as  the  legal  numbering  of  other  textiles   the  standard  and   numbering  of  the  metric 

system." 
Among  the  members  figured  : — 

Germany,  W.  Foerster  and  R.  Siegel      Austria,  Von  Lang  and  W.  Marek;    Belgium.  Rousseau 

Italy,  Blaserna;    Spain,  Marquis  de  Novallas,  L.  Puigcerver  and  F.  de  Parrillaga ;    Russia, 

D.  Mendeleef  and  N.  Egoroff;     Switzerl.md.  R.  Gautier  and  F.  Ris ;    United  States,  E.  W. 

Morley. 


84  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

German  customs  tariffs  and  he  was  kind  enough  to  tell  us  that  he 
would  take  up  this  question  on  his  return  to  Berlin. 

Finally,  the  Manufacturers'  Unions  did  not  go  back  on  their 
decisions ;  they  carried  their  point  with  their  Government,  and  the 
Customs-tariffs  were  promulgated  with  the  English  system  of  counts. 

This  double  check  in  Germany  impeded  the  work  of  the  Permanent 
Committee,  for  it  was  impossible  to  do  Avithout  Germany  and  Austria, 
the  latter  country  having  declared  that  it  considered  itself  obliged  to 
follow  in  the  footsteps  of  Germany. 

Under  these  conditions,  it  was  no  longer  possible  to  hope  to  reach 
the  end  pointed  out  by  the  Congress  until  England  and  the  United 
States  adopted  the  metric  system. 

It  was  only  left  for  us  to  follow  with  the  greatest  interest  the 
propaganda  carried  on  in  these  two  countries  with  a  view  to  bring- 
about  the  adoption  of  the  metric  system,  and  we  are  very  hopeful,  on 
seeing  what  is  happening,  that  the  "  Decimal  Association  "  will  soon 
gain  a  victory  in  England.  We  shall  then  be  able,  with  a  chance  of 
success,  to  resume  our  campaign  for  a  uniform  system  of  numbering 
yarn. 

We  may  tell  you,  our  English  friends,  that  it  was  one  of  yourselves, 
Mr.  Rowlett,  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  Leicester, 
v/ho,  at  the  Paris  Congress  in  1900,  told  us,  to  the  applause  of  all  the 
assembly,  that  for  the  previous  quarter  of  a  century,  he  had  been 
striving  to  introduce  the  metric  system.  He  showed  us  the  compli- 
cation and  confusion  connected  with  the  numerous  counts  used  in 
England,  and  concluded  with  the  words  :  "  The  metric  system  must 
be  adopted  for  counts." 

A  little  time  afterwards  we  were  very  fortunate  in  securing  the 
collaboration  of  the  Silk  Association  for  England  and  Ireland,  when 
we  brought  forward  the  question  of  a  uniform  system  of  counts  and 
classifying  of  silk.  We  may  here  mention  the  valuable  help  of  Mr. 
Matthew  Blair,  with  whose  interesting  work  in  connection  with  yarn- 
counts  you  are  probably  acquainted. 

Being  obliged  to  give  up  for  a  time  the  movement  in  the  direction 
of  one  uniform  system  of  counts  for  cotton,  woollen,  and  linen,  the 
Permanent  Committee  brought  all  its  energy  to  bear  to  secure  metric 
uniformity  of  classification  and  counts  of  silk. 

First  of  all,  we  had  to  induce  our  fellow-countrymen  of  Lyons  to 
abandon  their  old  classification  in  denievs.  On  1st  March,  1901,  the 
three  great  Associations  of  Lyons  decided  to  adopt  the  classification 
of  the  Congress.  Later  on,  in  November,  1901,  a  Congress  of  the 
Directors  of  Silk  Conditioning  was  held  in  Zurich,  in  order  to  come 
to  an  agreement  as  to  the  drawing  up  of  the  conditioning  reports  in 
conformity  with  the  resolutions  of  the  Congress  of  Paris. 

The  Permanent  Committee  received  in  April,  1902,  the  favourable 
reports  of  the  United  States,  Germany,  Austria,  Italy,  Spain,  Switzer- 
land and  Belgium.  We  were  then  only  short  of  the  assent  of  England, 
Russia  and  Japan. 

It  was  in  June,  1902,  that  the  Committee  received  the  reply  of 
the  Silk  Association  of  England  and  Ireland.  This  Association  did 
not  accept  in  full  the  proposals  of  the  Congress  for  the  classification  of 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  86 

silk.  After  exchanging  a  very  voluminous  correspondence,  the  English 
Association  put  forward  the  proposal  to  adopt  "  the  metric  classification 
showing  the  weights  in  half-decigrammes  of  a  length  of  450  metres, 
provided  that  the  testing  report  likewise  bears  the  conversion  of  this 
count  in  a  metric  number  based  on  the  kilogramme."  For  the 
uninitiated,  we  recall  the  fact  that  the  count  is  simply  intended  to  fix 
as  regards  tests  the  difTerences  of  thickness  of  the  yarn ;  the  mimber 
gives  the  length  of  this  yarn. 

In  consideration  of  this  English  proposal,  all  the  members  of  the 
Permanent  Committee  and  all  the  Directors  of  Silk  Conditioning  were 
consulted,  and,  in  November,  1902,  we  had  the  general  assent  of  the 
persons  consulted. 

The  Governments  of  the  United  States  and  of  England  having 
declared  themselves  quite  ready  to  favour  the  adoption  of  this  measure, 
but  not  being  able  to  sign  a  diplomatic  convention  so  long  as  the 
metric  system  should  not  have  been  made  legally  obligatory,  it  was 
decided  there  should  be  no  diplomatic  conference  for  the  international 
adoption  of  the  classification  and  numbering  of  silk. 

Following  thereupon,  the  Permanent  Committee  received,  through 
the  Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs  in  France,  all  the  official  assents ;  the 
last  one  was  that  of  the  Japanese  Government,  which  ordered  the  ex- 
clusive use  of  the  metric  numbering  and  classification,  beginning  with 
1st  Januar)%  1905. 

The  Permanent  Committee  are  happy  to  be  able  to  state  that  at 
present  there  exists  in  the  whole  world  but  one  system  of  denominating 
and  numbering  of  silk,  viz.,  the  metric  system. 

The  Permanent  Committee  express  their  wish  that  the  result  so 
happily  obtained  for  silk,  with  the  valuable  co-operation  of  the  Silk 
Association  of  England  and  Ireland,  and  of  the  Silk  Association  of 
America,  may  also  be  obtained  by  the  English  and  American  Cotton, 
Woollen,  and  Linen  Associations,  when,  at  a  future  period,  which  we 
trust  may  be  near  at  hand,  the  adoption  of  the  metric  system  shall  be 
an  accomplished  fact. 

By  this  summary  of  the  work  of  the  Permanent  International 
Committee  for  the  Uniform  System  of  Numbering  Yarn,  you  will  see 
that  they  have  by  no  means  remained  inactive,  and  you  will  no  doubt 
agree  that  there  is  no  need  to  form  a  new  Committee  for  the  same 
object.  We  think  that  Herr  Ferd.  Gross,  who  was  not  aware  of  what 
had  been  done  by  the  Permanent  Committee,  will  now  be  of  the  same 
opinion. 

In  his  report  Herr  Gross  proposes  that  uniformity  be  adopted 
likewise  for  the  perimeter  of  hanks.  This  proposal  is  very  interesting, 
and  may  be  studied  after  a  consultation  of  the  representatives  of  the 
different  countries  forming  the  Permanent  Committee. 

In  conclusion,  I  may  say,  in  the  name  of  the  Permanent  Inter- 
national Committee,  that  their  President  is  authorised  to  propose  to 
keep  your  Federation  regularly  informed  of  their  proceedings. 

Baron  Cantoni  :  I  quite  appreciate  the  feelings  that  have  im- 
pressed the  two  English  gentlemen  who  have  reported  on  the  subject, 
but  I  must  say  that  in  some  points  they  have  been  misled.  I  wish 
to   say,   as   regards   Mr.   Byrom's  report,   that   in   Germany  none   of 


86  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

those  other  measures  which  he  mentioned  prevail.  Nobody  dreams 
in  Germany  of  talking  of  ells  and  so  on.  These  particulars,  taken, 
no  doubt,  from  some  book,  are  simply  a  sort  of  historical  record. 
Their  use  is  obsolete.  The  younger  generation  does  not  know  of 
their  existence. 

Another  point  mentioned  was  the  necessity  of  altering  machines. 
We  get  our  machinery  from  England  in  English  measurements,  but  we 
sell  our  goods  in  metres.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  calculation  whatever. 
This  brings  me  to  Mr.  Roberts'  report  upon  numbers.  I  must  say  I 
cannot  attach  much  importance  to  thirteen  numbers,  or  seventeen 
numbers,  or  six ;  but  supposing  you  have  only  six  numbers  to  deal 
with  and  we  had  fifteen,  we  can  calculate  more  quickly  on  the  decimal 
system  than  is  possible  with  sixteenths  and  twenty-fourths.  You  are 
beginning  to  find  it  much  more  convenient  to  count  points  by  the 
hundredths  than  by  the  sixty-fourths,  and  the  price  of  cotton  on  the 
Liverpool  market  is  now  reckoned  on  the  decimal  system  so  far  as 
the  penny  is  concerned.  Were  the  system  familiar  to  you,  you  would 
not  for  one  moment  hesitate  to  join  the  Continent  on  this  subject. 

All  the  arguments  in  opposition  to  the  introduction  of  the  metric 
system  can  be  fully  met.  Take  an  example  from  the  Continent :  we  im- 
port yarn  from  England  on  the  English  system,  but  we  sell  our  pieces — 
our  woven  goods — on  the  metric  system.  We  find  no  difficulty  in  doing 
so.  Of  course,  our  calculations  would  be  made  much  more  rapidly — 
it  would  take  a  quarter  of  the  time  to  reckon  out  the  goods — if  we  had 
not  to  calculate  the  hank  and  bring  it  to  the  decimal  system  or  the 
weighing  count.  Experience  proves  that  these  difficulties  are  really 
very  slight.  The  only  things  which  evidently  require  great  considera- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  English  people  are — first,  that  of  custom  and 
habit  among  buying  nations  who  are  not  at  such  a  pitch  of  education  or 
civilisation  as  easily  to  receive  a  new  system  of  measurement ;  and 
then,  of  perhaps  slight  differences  in  the  goods — which  it  would  be  an 
advantage  to  have — when  you  are  altering  the  system  from  the 
English  to  the  decimal  system.  All  scientific  men  in  England  recognise 
the  metric  decimal  system  to  be  a  rational  system  of  calculation. 

I  wanted  to  point  out  the  fact  that  there  is  no  difficulty  as  regards 
the  machinery.  In  our  trade  we  reckon  40  inches  to  the  metre,  and  that 
is  quite  near  enough  for  any  practical  consideration.  We  speak  from 
a  lifelong  experience.  We  buy  our  yarns  in  the  yard,  and  sell  our 
goods  in  the  metre.  We  know  that  we  have  no  difficulty  with  it,  and 
I  don't  think  English  people  would.  If  we  were  buying  our  yams  in 
metres  we  would  have  no  trouble  whatever.     Mr.  Roberts  is  not  quite 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  87 

correct  in  one  reference  to  the  metric  system.  In  the  metric  system 
1,000  metres  =  one  kilo.,  whereas  in  the  French  system  500  metres  = 
one  kilo. 

Herr  Vogel  :  I  support  in  every  respect  what  Baron  Cantoni 
has  explained  to  you.  We  were  in  Germany  in  exactly  the  same 
position  as  you  in  England  when  we  adopted  the  metric  system, 
because  we  were  one  of  those  countries  which  had  so  many  systems  that 
often  it  was  not  possible  to  remember  what  systems  we  had  in  line,  in 
weight,  in  measure.  We  don't  believe  we  are  more  intelligent  than 
the  great  English  people  because  we  are  overcoming  all  difficulties  in  a 
comparatively  short  time.  A  great  many  of  our  houses  and  manufac- 
tories are  much  smaller  than  are  found  in  England,  but  we  nevertheless 
do  trade  with  a  great  many  parts  of  the  world,  and  with  countries  which 
use  other  systems.  We  have  always  been  able  to  arrange  our  system 
according  to  the  wishes  of  our  customers.  It  has  been  said  that  the 
German  Government  was  opposed  to  the  system,  and  had  not  made  a 
law  that  the  metric  system  should  be  legal  for  our  yarns.  That  is  to  a 
certain  extent  a  mistake.  The  German  Government  is  quite  ready  to 
introduce  the  metric  system  in  yarns  if  the  German  manufacturers  and 
sellers  of  yam  would  adopt  it  for  all  sorts  of  yarns.  We  apply  it  in  a 
great  many  yarn  fabrics,  and  we  use  it  also  in  silk.  It  is  difficult  for 
us  to  have  both  systems  at  once.  In  the  German  tariff  there  is  not 
only  the  metric  system,  but  we  have  now  the  English  system  for  yams. 
English  manufacturers  are  esteemed  the  best  business  men  in  the 
world ;  and  I  am  sure  you  would  find  enormous  advantages  were  you 
to  adopt  the  metric  system.  I  hope  you  will  see  your  way  to  grapple 
with  this  question  ;  you  will  find  the  metric  system  really  the  easiest 
and  the  best. 

Further  discussion  had  to  be  postponed  owing  to  the  length  of  the 
sitting,  and  a  paper  by  Mr.  Samuel  S.  Dale  could  not  be  read.  It  will, 
however,  be  found  in  the  Appendix. 

Mr.  Smethurst  (the  Honorary  Secretary)  announced  that  the 
International  Committee  for  the  ensuing  year  had  been  unanimously 
re-elected,  each  of  the  federated  nations  having  nominated  the  retiring 
member.  As  yet  they  had  had  no  information  from  Russia,  Mr. 
Smethurst  added,  but  communications  as  to  their  Delegate  on  the 
Committee  would  be  opened. 

The  Congress  then  adjourned. 


89 


FIFTH    DAY'S    PROCEEDINGS. 

FRIDAY,    JUNE    9th. 

The  President  of  the  Congrkss,  Mr.   C.   W.    MACARA, 
IN  THE  Chair. 

This,  the  concluding  day's  sitting,  was  held  at  the  Manchester 
Town  Hall. 

The  Minutes  of  the  two  previous  days'  sittings  having  been  read 
and  adopted, 

The  President,  before  proceeding  to  the  business  of  the  day, 
expressed  his  regret  that  time  would  not  permit  of  the  reading  of  Mr. 
Dale's  paper  on  the  Metric  System,  but  said  the  paper  would  be  printed 
in  the  Report  of  the  Congress  and  thus  brought  to  the  attention  of  the 
cotton  users  of  the  world. 

COTTON-GROWING. 

The  President  :  The  business  we  have  to  discuss  to-day — in- 
creasing the  supply  of  the  raw  material — is  a  most  important  one, 
and  our  thanks  are  due  to  the  gentleman  who  will  introduce  the 
subject,  and  who  has  taken  a  leading  part  in  the  cotton -growing 
movement.  I  regret  that,  owing  to  the  multifarious  duties  that  have 
fallen  to  me  in  recent  years,  it  has  been  impossible  for  me  to  take  that 
part  in  the  movement  I  would  have  liked,  but  I  have  done  what  I 
could  in  advocating  systematic  contributions  by  the  Federation  of  Master 
Cotton  Spinners'  Associations  to  the  funds  of  the  British  Cotton- 
Growing  Association.  The  cotton  trade  ought  to  lead,  and  the  other 
interests  should  fall  into  line  and  do  their  share.  I  am  perfectly  satis- 
fied that  if  this  policy  of  systematic  contributions  be  adopted  we  shall 
not  only  get  the  £500,000  wanted,  which  is  a  very  small  amount  for  a 
work  of  such  magnitude,  but  we  shall  get  whatever  we  require  to 
prosecute  this  business  in  the  most  efficient  manner.  We  hear  a 
good  deal  about  the  resources  of  America,  and  we  are  told  that  they 
are  inexhaustible.  Some  people,  however,  say  the  Americans  are 
nearing  the  limit  of  their  capacity  for  producing  cotton.  I  am  not 
prepared  to  say  which  opinion  is  right,  but  with  such  evidence  before 
us  as  to  the  enormous  growth  of  the  cotton  industry  during  the  past 
twenty-five  years,  and  the  enormous  growth  of  the  population  of  the 
United  States,  it  would  be  most  unwise  on  our  part  to  rely  too  much 

G 


90  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

upon  America,  which  will  probably  give  us  this  season  three-quarters 
or  more  of  our  supply.  In  view  of  this  we  ought  to  develop  the 
growing  of  cotton  in  any  part  of  the  world  where  it  can  be  grown. 
With  that  broad  and  comprehensive  view  of  this  all-important  subject, 
I  welcome  the  efforts  in  this  direction  which  are  made  by  any  nation. 
We  shall  hear  to-day  what  some  of  the  continental  nations  are  doing. 
I  look  upon  the  effort  to  increase  the  supply  of  cotton  very  much  in 
the  same  light  as  the  provision  of  food.  The  food  of  the  countless 
millions  on  the  globe  is  grown  wherever  it  can  be  grown ;  and  cotton, 
for  the  clothing  of  the  vast  population  of  the  world,  ought  to  be  placed 
on  a  similar  footing. 

THE    BRITISH    COLONIES. 

Mr.  J.  A.  HuTTON,  of  the  British  Cotton  Growing  Association, 
then  read  the  following  paper  on  "Cotton  Growing": — 

In  introducing  this  most  important  question,  it  is  hardly 
necessary  to  do  more  than  allude  to  the  unfortunate  circumstances 
which  have  led  to  the  establishment  in  England,  France,  Germany, 
and  other  European  countries,  of  Cotton  Growing  Associations.  The 
steady  increase  of  demand  during  recent  years,  accompanied,  as  it 
has  been,  by  no  corresponding  increase  in  supply,  resulted  in  a  climax 
in  1904,  when  many  of  the  cotton  mills  of  the  world  had  to  run  short 
time  or  to  stop  entirely.  The  situation  has  for  the  moment  been 
relieved  by  the  wonderful  crop  produced  in  the  United  States  last 
season ;  but  we  all  recognise  that  should  the  weather  conditions  in 
America  be  as  unfavourable  this  year  as  they  were  in  1903,  the  crop 
may  be  little  more  than  10,000,000  bales,  and  we  shall  again  have  a 
recurrence  of  speculation,  with  disastrous  results  for  every  user  of 
cotton.  The  large  accumulation  of  capital  in  the  hands  of  a  few 
individuals  gives  the  speculator  an  immense  power  in  dealing  wdth 
the  supplies  of  raw  material,  and,  if  the  cotton  industry  of  Europe 
is  to  maintain  its  position,  it  is  absolutely  essential  that  new  sources 
of  supply  should  be  developed  as  soon  as  possible.  What  America  is 
aiming  at  to-day  is  to  reduce  the  production  of  cotton,  so  as  to  keep 
the  price  high.     What  we  want  are  large  supplies  of  cheap  cotton. 

Supply  and  Demand. 

It  is  also  extremely  doubtful  whether  the  United  States  can 
produce  increasing  quantities  sufficient  to  meet  the  natural  increase 
in  the  demand  for  cotton.  The  population  of  the  world  increases 
annually,  and  needs  at  least  400,000  bales  more  every  year  to  meet 
its  requirements.  This  means  that  each  year  an  additional  million 
acres  must  be  placed  under  cotton,  and  the  question  naturally  arises : 
Can  these  additional  acres  be  found  in  America,  apart  altogether 
from  the  question  as  to  whether  they  have  a  sufficient  supply  of  labour 
to  sufficiently  cultivate  a  largely  increased  acreage  ?  Putting  the 
present  consumption  of  American  cotton  at  11,500,000  bales,  we  find, 
reckoning  the  average  production  at  203  pounds  per  acre,  that  it 
requires  at   least  28,000,000  acres    to   produce   this   cotton.     In  five 


COTTON-GROWING  91 

years  from  now  we  shall  therefore  require  33,000,000  acres,  and  in 
ten  years  38,000,000  acres  under  cotton  to  fill  the  world's  require- 
ments. It  has  been  estimated  by  Mr.  Henry  G.  Kittredge  that 
85,000,000  acres  is  the  limitation  of  the  amount  of  land  which  the 
Southern  States  can  economically  give  to  this  one  agricultural  product. 
If  this  estimate  be  correct,  and  assuming  America  has  the  necessary 
labour  for  its  effective  cultivation,  in  seven  years  from  now  the 
maximum  production  of  the  United  States  will  have  been  reached. 
If,  therefore,  in  the  meantime  Europe  has  not  provided  herself  with 
other  sources  of  supply,  we  shall  then  see  the  cotton  trade  develop 
into  a  struggle  for  supplies  of  the  raw  material,  and  we  shall  meet 
with  a  period  of  speculation  and  gambling  which  may  result  in  the 
partial  ruin  of  the  cotton  industry  of  Europe.  In  this  matter  there 
can  be  no  question  of  international  jealousy,  for  our  interests  are 
identical,  and  it  is  therefore  necessary  for  us  to  help  one  another  in 
promoting  the  object  we  all  have  at  heart — namely,  the  establishment 
of  new  sources  of  supply — with  the  additional  advantage  of  thereby 
developing  many  new  markets,  which  would  cause  largely  increased 
demands  for  European  manufactures. 

Apart,  too,  from  other  questions,  we  shall  all  agree  that  it  is  most 
desirable  that  our  basis  of  supply  should  be  broadened.  We  depend 
to-day  for  the  bulk  of  our  cotton  on  one  country — the  United  States — 
and  consequently  we  are  dependent  on  the  vagaries  of  the  weather 
in  one  particular  part  of  the  world.  If  to-day  we  could  depend  on 
Africa  for  another  million  or  two  million  bales  of  cotton,  we  should 
feel  less  anxious  about  the  reports  of  the  new  crop  which  is  now  being 
planted  in  the  United  States.  If  this  crop  is  a  partial  failure,  we 
shall  again  have  dear  cotton,  accompanied  by  the  manipulations  of 
speculators,  with  the  consequent  dislocation  of  our  industry.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  we  could  depend  upon  other  parts  of  the  world  for  a  large 
portion  of  our  supply,  we  could  regard  with  equanimity  the  vagaries 
of  the  weather  in  the  United  States.  We  can  all  agree  on  this  point ; 
the  broader  the  basis  of  supply,  the  steadier  will  the  average  pro- 
duction be,  and  consequently  the  steadier  the  price.  What  we  want 
is  plenty  of  cotton  at  a  fairly  steady  price,  and  that  price  a  reasonable 
one.  What  the  American  speculator  wants  is  a  small  crop,  and 
a  violently  fluctuating  price,  which  will  render  it  possible  for  him  to 
manipulate  the  market  to  his  own  advantage.  This  is  what  Europe 
has  to  defeat. 

Before  entering  upon  the  work  of  the  British  Cotton-Growing 
Association,  I  should  like  to  say  a  few  words  on  the  urgency  of  the 
question.  New  sources  of  supply  cannot  be  developed  in  two  or  three 
years.  Mistakes  will  be  made,  difficulties  will  have  to  be  overcome, 
the  right  varieties  of  seed  for  each  district  will  have  to  be  discovered, 
also  the  proper  season  for  planting;  natives  will  have  to  be  educated, 
and  in  many  instances  railways  will  have  to  be  built,  or  other  means 
of  transport  provided,  in  order  to  render  economical  cultivation 
possible.  This  must  take  many  years;  and  in  connection  with  this 
I  must  point  out  that  when  cotton-growing  was  commenced  in  the 
United  States  ten  years  elapsed  before  the  annual  crop  first  reached 
100,000  bales,  and  the  first  time  the  American  crop  reached  1,000,000 
bales  was  85  years  after  the  industry  had  commenced.  In  ten  years 
from  to-day,  if  Mr.  Kittredge's  estimate  is  correct,  we  shall  require 
something  like  2,000,000  bales  additional  supplies  from  new  sources. 


92  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  Europe  has  not  one  single  moment  to 
lose,  for  it  will  take  fully  ten  years  to  build  up  a  new  industry  of  that 
size. 

The  British  Cotton-Growing  Association. 

I  now  propose  to  give  you  a  short  account  of  the  efforts  which 
England  is  making  to  establish  new  sources  of  supply  in  the  British 
Empire.  The  British  Cotton-Growing  Association  was  inaugurated 
in  1902,  and  the  experimental  work  was  so  encouraging  that  in  1901 
it  was  decided  to  formally  incorporate  the  Association  as  a  commercial 
body.  In  August,  1904,  a  Royal  Charter  was  granted  by  His  Majesty 
the  King,  and  the  prospectus  was  issued  in  November,  1904,  with  a 
capital  of  £500,000.  The  Association  is  not  committed  to  any  fixed 
policy.  Different  colonies  will  require  different  methods,  and  what 
is  suitable  for  the  West  Indies  may  not  suit  India,  nor  will  the 
methods  which  are  most  adapted  for  East  Africa  be  the  best  means 
of  developing  West  Africa.  Further  than  that,  as  the  industry 
develops  some  change  of  plan  may  be  necessary. 

India. 

India  has  naturally  occupied  a  good  deal  of  the  attention  of  the 
Association,  and  there  is  probably  little  doubt  that  as  far  as  quantity 
is  concerned,  quicker  and  larger  results  may  be  obtained  here  than  in 
any  other  part  of  the  British  Empire.  There  is  an  enormous  popula- 
tion, most  of  which  is  devoted  to  agriculture,  and  in  all  probability,  if 
the  price  of  cotton  remains  high,  the  quantity  produced  in  India  will 
increase  year  by  year.  On  the  other  hand,  if  prices  fall  to  a  low  level, 
there  may  be  a  decrease  in  production.  The  main  efforts  of  the 
Association  have  been  directed  towards  an  improvement  of  quality,  for 
it  is  evident  if  the  native  of  India  is  able  to  produce  a  better  class  of 
cotton  that  he  will  obtain  a  higher  price  and  make  a  larger  profit,  with 
the  natural  result  that  if  prices  fall  the  industry  will  still  be  sufficiently 
profitable  for  him  to  continue  planting  cotton.  In  the  opinion  of  the 
Association  the  best  means  of  improving  the  quality  are  either  by  the 
introduction  of  better  varieties  of  cotton  or  by  improving  the  indigenous 
varieties.  In  any  case,  it  is  absolutely  essential  that  the  planter  should 
be  able  to  obtain  ample  supplies  of  the  best  selected  seed  for  sowing. 
Representations  were  accordingly  made  to  the  Indian  Government 
urging  the  establishment  of  seed  farms  in  the  cotton  districts,  where 
experiments  could  be  carried  out  with  different  varieties,  and  where  a 
good  strain  of  seed  could  be  raised  for  distribution  amongst  the 
natives.  These  farms  would  also  be  most  valuable  for  educational 
work  in  the  best  methods  of  cultivation,  and  would  serve  as  valuable 
object-lessons  to  the  natives.  I  am  glad  to  say  that  these  representa- 
tions have  been  most  favourably  received  by  the  Government ;  and  the 
Department  of  Agriculture,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Mollison,  is  now 
taking  active  steps  towards  this  object.  In  addition  to  the  Government 
work,  a  company  has  been  formed  with  a  view  to  establishing  cotton- 
growing  in  Behar  in  place  of  indigo ;  and  the  Association  has  granted 
£3,000,  which  sum,  with  a  like  contribution  from  the  Indian  Govern- 
ment, is  being  spent  by  this  company  in  experiments  with  different 
varieties  of  cotton.  It  is  too  soon  yet  to  speak  definitely  of  the  results, 
but  amongst  other  varieties  large  experiments  are  being  made  with  the 
perennial  "  Tree  Cotton,"  which,  if  successful,  may  have  very  impor- 


COTTON-GROWING  93 

tant  results.  The  Government  have  also  been  conducting  some 
important  experiments  with  Egyptian  cotton  in  Scinde.  The  plants 
have  been  grown  with  irrigation,  and  under  similar  conditions  to  those 
prevalent  in  Egypt.  The  cotton  produced  is  of  excellent  quality,  and 
is  worth  to-day  about  7d.  a  pound.  If  further  results  are  ecjually  suc- 
cessful, it  is  possible  that  Scinde  may  some  day  become  a  second  Egypt. 
To  sum  up,  one  may  say  that  the  prospects  in  India  are  decidedly 
encouraging,  but  progress  must  be  slow,  for  it  is  difficult  to  induce  the 
native  cultivator  to  adopt  new  and  better  methods  of  cultivation. 

West  Indies. 

It  is  in  the  West  Indies  that  the  efforts  of  the  Association  have 
been  most  successful,  and  this  is  principally  due  to  the  fact  that  the 
plantations  are  in  the  hands  of  Europeans,  and  that  the  Association 
met  with  the  most  hearty  co-operation  from  the  Imperial  Department 
of  Agriculture,  which  is  under  the  supervision  of  a  practical  agricul- 
turist with  a  scientific  training.  Sir  Daniel  Morris,  with  his  assistant, 
Mr.  Francis  Watts,  took  up  the  cause  of  cotton-growing  with  the 
greatest  zeal,  and  the  efforts  of  these  two  gentlemen  were  largely 
assisted  by  the  enthusiasm  of  Sir  Gerald  Strickland,  the  administrator 
of  the  Leeward  Islands.  Sir  Daniel  Morris  paid  a  special  visit  to  the 
United  States  to  study  the  conditions  of  cotton  cultivation  in  Florida, 
Georgia  and  South  Carolina.  This  was  followed  up  by  the  publica- 
tion of  two  most  useful  pamphlets — "  Sea  Island  Cotton  in  the  United 
States  and  the  West  Indies,"  and  "  The  A  B  C  of  Cotton  Cultivation." 
Lectures  were  given  in  various  islands,  with  instructions  to  the 
planters  what  to  do  and  when  to  do  it.  The  Association  has  sent  out 
a  large  amount  of  machinery,  which  has  been  loaned  to  planters  or  is 
being  run  temporarily  by  the  Government.  The  Council  has  recently 
voted  £300,  which,  with  a  similar  contribution  from  the  Agricultural 
Department,  will  be  devoted  towards  the  cost  of  two  travelling  experts, 
who  are  visiting  the  various  islands  and  instructing  the  planters  in  the 
best  methods  of  cultivation. 

In  no  other  part  of  the  Empire  has  the  Association's  work  ad- 
vanced so  rapidly  or  so  nearly  approached  a  commercial  basis. 
Acting  on  Sir  Daniel  Morris's  advice,  the  Council  decided  to  send  out 
a  representative  to  complete  all  the  necessary  arrangements  for  buying, 
financing  and  ginning.  Mr.  Lomas  Oliver,  a  member  of  the  Council 
and  an  expert '  spinner  of  the  very  finest  counts  of  cotton,  very  kindly 
placed  his  services  at  the  disposal  of  the  Council,  and  went  out  to  the 
West  Indies  last  October.  One  of  the  principal  objects  of  his  visit 
was  to  point  out  to  the  planters  the  quality  of  cotton  they  should  aim 
at  producing,  and  to  draw  attention  to  faults  in  last  year's  crop  with 
a  view  to  their  elimination  in  the  future.  Arrangements  have  been 
made  for  the  planters  to  take  over  the  ginneries  which  are  now  being 
run  by  the  Government,  or  for  agents  to  work  them  on  behalf  of  the 
Association.  The  whole  work  has  been  placed  on  a  business  basis  ; 
a  moderate  rate  of  interest  is  charged,  and  a  commission  to  cover 
brokerage  and  other  charges,  leaving  a  small  margin  of  profit  for  the 
Association.  By  this  means  the  planter  and  the  spinner  are  brought 
into  the  closest  possible  touch,  the  planter  is  able  to  obtain  the  best 
possible  price,  and  the  Association  has  established  a  sound  business, 
which  will  in  future  years  be  remunerative  to  itself  and  of  advantage 
to  both  producer  and  consumer. 


94  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Fortunately,  it  has  been  proved  beyond  all  possible  doubt  that 
the  West  Indian  Islands  can  grow  Sea  Island  cotton  of  the  best 
quality,  and  that  the  planter  can  make  money  out  of  it.  If  it  does 
come  to  a  question  of  competition,  the  conditions  are  so  much  more 
favourable  in  the  West  Indies  that  the  planters  there  can  produce 
Sea  Island  cotton  more  economically  than  can  be  done  in  the  United 
States.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  ascertain  the  exact  quantity  grown 
last  season,  but  it  is  probably  not  less  than  2,000  bales,  and  the  bulk 
of  it  has  been  sold  at  prices  ranging  from  12d.  to  18d.  a  pound. 
This  year's  crop  is,  however,  estimated  at  5,000  bales  of  360  lbs.,  and 
will  be  probably  worth  over  £100,000.  This  is  a  marvellous  result  to 
have  been  attained  in  so  short  a  time,  and  if  the  Association  had 
attained  no  other  result  than  this,  it  would  have  fully  justified  its 
existence.  Cotton  from  the  West  Indies  is  arriving  now  by  every 
steamer,  and  the  bulk  of  it  is  selling  at  16d.  to  18d.  a  pound,  and  the 
quality  is  very  much  improved  and  considerably  better  than  the 
average  quality  of  American  Sea  Island  cotton. 

East  Africa. 

In  East  Africa  the  enquiries  made  by  the  Association  have  ranged 
from  the  Egyptian  Soudan,  through  British  East  Africa  (including 
Uganda),  British  Central  Africa  or  Nyassaland,  and  Rhodesia,  down 
to  the  Transvaal,  Orange  River  Colony  and  Natal.  It  can  now  be 
said  to  be  practically  proved  that  cotton  can  be  grown  in  all  these 
districts,  and,  what  is  more  important,  that  in  most  of  them  Egyptian 
cotton  will  do  well.  There  is  an  undoubted  tendency  towards  the  use 
of  better  grades  of  cotton,  such  as  the  best  Upland,  Egyptian  and 
Sea  Island,  and  it  does  not  seem  that  we  can  look  for  any  large 
increase  in  our  supplies  of  these  qualities  from  Egypt  and  the  United 
States.  It  is  therefore  all  the  more  necessary  that  no  time  should  be 
lost  in  pushing  on  these  better  growths,  as  well  as  encouraging  the 
cultivation  of  medium-stapled  cotton,  such  as  is  needed  in  Oldham. 
It  will  be  gathered  from  the  preceding  remarks  that  we  can  look  to 
the  West  Indies  for  an  addition  to  our  supplies  of  the  very  best 
qualities.  One  may  regard  it  as  providential  that,  although  most 
previous  attempts  to  grow  Egyptian  cotton  in  America  and  elsewhere 
have  not  been  successful,  recent  experiments  in  East  Africa  have  been 
most  encouraging.  The  cotton  retains  the  brown  colour  of  Egyptian, 
and,  what  is  more  important,  it  does  not  lose  the  silkiness  and  gloss 
of  the  original  variety.  It  is  too  soon  yet  to  take  it  for  granted  that 
in  Nyassaland  or  elsewhere  it  will  always  retain  the  good  qualities  of 
Egyptian,  but  in  a  recent  shipment  from  Blantyre  it  was  almost  im- 
possible to  distinguish  two  samples,  one  of  which  was  grown  from 
freshly  imported  seed  and  the  other  from  seed  of  the  previous  year's 
cotton.  The  one  misfortune  is  that,  owing  to  the  lack  of  funds,  the 
Association  was  compelled  to  restrict  its  practical  work  to  one 
colony,  and  Nyassaland  is  the  only  district  which  has  been  "  proved," 
though  doubtless  results  as  good  may  be  obtained  from  the  other 
colonies. 

Nyassaland. 

In  Nyassaland  the  Association  found  its  work  considerably 
lightened  by  the  fact  that  the  climate  is  not  unhealthy,  and  that  there 
was  a  large   number   of   European  planters  in  the  colony,  and  also 


COTTON -GROWING  95 

Ihat  it  was  able  to  obtain  the  active  co-operation  of  the  African 
Lakes  Corporation.  The  planters  have  taken  up  cotton-growing  with 
enthusiasm,  and  over  6,000  acres  were  put  under  cultivation  last 
season.  Unfortunately,  they  had  not  the  advantage  possessed  by  the 
West  Indies  of  expert  agricultural  assistance,  and  they  had  little 
knowledge  of  cotton-growing,  and  could  only  find  out  the  best  methods 
of  cultivation  by  experience.  The  weather  last  season  was  excep- 
tionally cold  and  wet,  and  nearly  all  the  late-planted  cotton  has  done 
badly,  with  the  result  that  the  crop,  which  was  expected  to  be  about 
4,000  bales,  was  less  than  1,000  bales.  On  the  other  hand,  the  early- 
planted  cotton  did  very  well,  and  compares  most  favourably  with 
Egyptian  cotton.  Some  very  good  results  have  been  obtained 
with  Upland  seed,  the  cotton  produced  having  been  sold  at  a  penny 
a  pound  over  middling  American.  Very  urgent  representations  were 
made  to  the  Government,  pointing  out  the  necessity  of  engaging  a 
competent  agriculturist,  and  these  representations  were  most  favour- 
ably received  by  the  Colonial  Office,  and  an  expert  with  a  large 
Egyptian  experience  was  sent  out  last  March.  The  Association  was, 
however,  not  deterred  by  the  partial  failure  of  last  year's  crop  from 
pushing  on  the  work,  and  arrangements  were  made  to  finance  planters 
to  the  extent  of  £10,000.  The  sum  of  8/-  an  acre  is  advanced  on  the 
planter  signing  an  agreement  to  clear  and  plant  the  land,  and  to  send 
the  cotton  to  the  Association.  A  further  advance  of  12/-  an  acre  is 
made  in  three  instalments  of  4/-  each.  On  shipment,  the  planter  can 
draw  for  2d.  a  pound  on  the  cotton  shipped.  When  the  cotton  is 
received  it  is  sold  by  the  Association,  and  the  surplus,  after  the  re- 
payment of  the  advances,  is  sent  to  the  cultivator.  The  Association 
charges  interest  on  the  money  out  of  pocket,  and  a  small  commission 
on  the  sale  of  the  cotton.  It  says  a  great  deal  for  the  pluck  of  the 
planters  that,  notwithstanding  the  partial  failure  of  last  year's  crop, 
no  fewer  than  20,000  acres  are  under  cotton  this  season.  According  to 
recent  advices,  the  cotton  planted  on  the  high  lands  is  not  growing  so 
well  as  could  be  wished,  but  the  last  reports  of  the  lower-lying  plan- 
tations are  quite  satisfactory.  If  everything  goes  on  well,  we  may 
reasonably  hope  to  receive  from  British  Central  Africa  this  season 
10,000  bales  of  cotton  of  good  staple,  which  should  be  worth  more 
than  £100,000.  Three  years  ago  cotton-growing  was  unknown  in 
this  colony. 

There  are  two  great  drawbacks  to  large  developments.  The 
population  is  none  too  large,  as  the  total  number  of  inhabitants — men, 
women  and  children — is  only  740,000,  in  an  area  of  over  40,000  square 
miles.  Another  disadvantage  is  the  lack  of  good  transport  facilities. 
The  cotton  has  to  be  carried  to  the  Shire  river,  then  transferred  to  the 
river  steamer,  and  again  transhipped  to  the  ocean  steamer  at  Chinde. 
Notwithstanding  all  these  difficulties,  the  planter  can  lay  his  cotton 
down  in  Liverpool  at  4d.  to  4|d.  a  pound.  This  cotton  is  to-day  selling 
at  6d.  to  7d.  per  pound.  A  further  disadvantage  in  connection  with  the 
transport  difficulty  is  the  fact  that  thousands  of  men  who  might  be 
growing  cotton  are  required  for  conveying  goods  to  and  from  the 
interior.  A  railway  is  now  being  constructed  from  Chiromo  to  Blantyre, 
but,  unfortunately,  it  is  not  progressing  sufficiently  rapidly  to  be  of  any 
use  this  season. 

In  addition  to  the  efforts  which  have  been  made  to  get  the  Euro- 
pean planters  to  take  up  cotton,  important  inquiries  are  being  carried 


96  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

on  as  to  the  possibility  of  establishing  cotton  cultivation  as  a  native 
industry  in  Nyassaland.  If  this  is  to  be  made  a  success,  it  is  essential 
that  the  natives  should  have  good  supplies  of  selected  seed  of  the  best 
variety,  and  it  is  possible  that  seed  farms  will  have  to  be  established 
either  by  the  Government  or  the  Association.  Generally  speaking,  it 
may  be  said  that  cotton  is  essentially  a  black  man's  crop,  and  it  is 
only  when  the  quality  is  sufficiently  good  to  command  a  high  price  that 
it  will  pay  the  European  to  cultivate  it. 

British   East   Africa. 

In  British  East  Africa  we  have  an  area  of  180,000  square  miles, 
and  a  population  of  nearly  4,000,000.  Unfortunately,  owing  to  the 
lack  of  funds,  the  Association  has  been  unable  to  undertake  any 
active  work  in  this  district.  It  is  not  quite  certain  whether  the  climate 
is  altogether  suitable  for  cotton-growing.  In  some  districts  there  is  too 
little  rain,  in  others  a  full  supply,  but  the  dry  season  does  not  seem 
sufficiently  well  marked  for  cotton  to  have  ample  time  to  ripen.  In 
the  coast  districts,  where  the  climate  is  unfortunately  not  too  good, 
excellent  Egyptian  substitutes  have  been  grown,  and  it  is  quite  possible 
that  with  ample  funds  as  large  developments  may  be  obtained  here  as 
in  Nyassaland. 

South  Africa. 

The  British  South  Africa  Company  is  now  taking  up  the  question 
seriously,  and  the  Association  has  just  supplied  that  Company  with  forty 
tons  of  Egyptian  seed,  which  has  been  distributed  throughout  Rhodesia 
and  the  whole  of  the  territory  under  its  administration.  The  area 
of  its  possessions  is  nearly  700,000  square  miles ;  the  population  is 
probably  close  on  two  millions,  so  that  the  possibilities  are  very  large. 
Some  experiments  are  also  being  made  in  the  Transvaal  and  Orange 
River  Colonies,  and  in  Natal. 

West  Africa. 

Of  all  the  numerous  fields  in  which  the  Association  has  been 
working  there  are  none  with  larger  latent  possibilities  than  our  W^est 
African  possessions.  The  total  area  of  our  West  African  Colonies  is 
over  500,000  square  miles.  The  population  is  unknown,  but  it  is 
probably  not  less  than  20,000,000,  or  40  to  the  square  mile.  Compare 
this  with  East  Africa,  where  the  population  is  not  more  than  ten  or 
twenty  to  the  square  mile.  The  West  African  is  a  born  trader  and 
agriculturist.  It  is  constantly  stated  that  he  will  not  work;  but  this 
is  absolutely  untrue.  The  very  fact  that  our  West  African  Colonies 
export  annually  over  £4,000,000  of  produce,  every  bit  of  which  is  the 
result  of  native  labour,  is  positive  evidence  as  to  what  he  can  do.  The 
soil  is  suitable ;  the  climate  is  all  that  could  be  desired ;  the  great 
difficulty  is  want  of  transport ;  and  there  is  a  further  drawback  that 
the  country  is  decidedly  unhealthy.  The  European  cannot  as  a  rule 
remain  on  the  coast  for  more  than  a  couple  of  years  without  his  health 
suffering,  and  then  he  requires  a  long  furlough  in  which  to  recruit. 
Speaking  generally,  the  result  of  this  is  that  it  takes  three  men  to  do 
the  work  of  two,  and  you  never  know  when  an  important  man  may  not 
be  invalided  home.  There  has  been  a  decided  improvement  in  recent 
years  in  the  health  of  the  European  residents  in  West  Africa.     But 


COTTON-GROWING  97 

West  Africa  has  a  bad  name,  and  it  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  get  good 
men  to  undertake  work  there  except  at  large  salaries.  This  all  seems 
to  point  to  the  fact  that  West  Africa  must  be  developed  by  the  natives, 
and  that  the  less  one  has  to  employ  Europeans  the  better.  So  far,  the 
general  experience  of  plantations  managed  by  Europeans,  whether  of 
coflfee,  rubber  or  cocoa,  has  not  been  encouraging.  The  Council  there- 
fore decided  that  for  the  present  the  best  policy  to  pursue  in  West 
Africa  was  the  establishment  of  cotton-growing  as  a  native  industry. 

A  good  deal  of  misunderstanding,  has,  however,  arisen  as  to  the 
Association's  recent  departure  in  commencing  large  cotton  plantations 
in  our  West  African  colonies,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
Council  is  firmly  of  opinion  that  the  native  will  work  better  when 
farming  on  his  own  account  than  when  working  as  a  hireling. 
These  plantations  have,  however,  been  undertaken  with  a  view  to 
developing  the  original  policy  of  the  Association  and  for  the  following 
reasons.  In  the  first  place,  the  native  requires  educating  in  the  best 
methods  of  cultivation,  and  for  this  purpose  nothing  could  be  better 
than  a  plantation  under  white  supervision.  Every  native  who  works 
on  one  of  these  plantations  will  become  an  expert,  and  when  he 
returns  to  his  home  he  can  tell  his  fellow-countrymen  what  to  do,  and 
how  and  when  to  do  it.  INIoreover,  on  these  plantations  extensive 
experiments  can  be  carried  out  with  different  varieties  of  seed, 
indigenous  and  exotic,  to  discover  the  variety  most  suited  to  the 
district,  the  best  method  of  cultivation,  and  the  best  time  for  planting, 
and  whether  cotton  will  do  best  as  a  perennial  or  an  annual,  and  so  on. 
When  the  best  variety  has  been  decided  on,  then  further  steps  can 
be  taken  towards  improving  it  by  the  selection  of  the  best  seed  from 
the  strongest  plants  year  after  year ;  and  ultimately  these  plantations 
should  develop  into  seed  farms  for  the  provision  of  seed  to  be  dis- 
tributed among  the  natives.  The  most  the  Association  hopes  for  is 
that  these  farms  should  be  more  or  less  self-supporting.  At  the  same 
time,  every  endeavour  is  being  made  to  make  these  plantations  a  com- 
mercial success,  and  should  the  efforts  be  successful  there  will  be  a 
large  additional  opening  for  European  capital,  and  more  rapid  develop- 
ments may  be  possible  ;  otherwise  it  will  take  a  considerable  time 
longer  before  West  Africa  is  able  to  produce  a  million  bales  annually. 
In  connection  with  this  point,  it  should  be  pointed  out  that  the  value 
of  a  million  bales  is  considerably  more  than  that  of  the  whole 
of  the  exports  of  all  the  European  Colonies  situated  on  the 
Gulf  of  Guinea.  There  is,  therefore,  all  the  more  reason  to  push  on 
the  work  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

It  is  proposed  to  establish  buying  centres  in  various  parts  of 
each  Colony,  which  would  serve  the  surrounding  district  within  a 
radius  of  20  to  30  miles.  To  each  of  these  centres  a  ginnery  would 
be  attached.  The  work  of  buying  and  ginning  will,  however,  only 
occupy  the  staff  for  a  period  of,  say,  four  to  six  months,  and  by 
attaching  a  plantation  to  each  buying  centre  the  employes  will  be 
fully  occupied  throughout  the  year.  Each  of  these  centres  will  act  as 
a  nucleus  or  centre  of  cultivation ;  there  will  be  a  model  farm  for 
educational  purposes,  which  will  serve  as  a  seed  farm  for  supplying 
the  native  planters  with  selected  seed.  The  use  of  selected  seed  is 
the  most  vital  factor  in  successful  cotton  cultivation,  and  it  would  be 
unwise  to  leave  this  important  matter,  at  any  rate  for  the  next  few 
years,  in  the  hands  of  the  natives. 


98  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

It  would  take  too  long  to  describe  in  detail  the  work  which  has 
been  undertaken  in  each  Colony.  In  Gambia  it  has  been  found  that 
cotton  does  not  give  as  good  returns  to  the  native  as  can  be  obtained 
from  ground-nuts,  and  as  the  area  of  the  Colony  is  very  small  it  has 
been  decided  to  give  up  the  work  there.  On  the  Gold  Coast  much  of 
the  labour  has  been  diverted  to  the  gold  mines,  and  for  the  present 
the  work  is  of  a  more  or  less  experimental  nature,  which  is  being 
carried  on  by  the  Government  in  co-operation  with  the  Association. 
The  latter  contributes  one  quarter  of  the  expenses  of  cultivation,  and 
provides  the  ginning  and  buying  facilities. 

In  Sierra  Leone,  Lagos,  and  Southern  Nigeria,  as  far  as  can  be 
judged  at  present,  there  is  a  good  prospect  of  cotton  cultivation  becoming 
of  great  importance.  The  Council  has  been  advised  that,  in  order  to 
encourage  the  natives  to  take  up  what  is  practically  a  new  industry,  it 
is  absolutely  essential  that  the  grower  should  be  able  to  depend  on  a 
ready  market  and  a  fixed  price — certainly  for  some  years,  and  until  the 
industry  is  firmly  established.  An  agreement  was,  therefore,  entered 
into  with  the  Government  that  in  the  three  above-mentioned  Colonies 
the  Association  would  undertake  to  purchase  all  seed  cotton  offered  at 
Id.  a  pound  for  three  years.  Should  the  price  of  cotton  fall,  and 
should  the  Association  thereby  incur  a  loss,  this  agreement  is  subject 
to  revision  when  that  loss  reaches  the  sum  of  £25,000.  In  addition, 
the  Association  has  undertaken  to  establish  a  model  plantation,  to 
provide  efficient  ginning  and  buying  facilities,  to  provide  experts  for 
the  instruction  of  the  natives,  and  to  spend  the  sum  of  £10,000  gross  in 
each  of  the  three  Colonies  annually  for  the  next  three  years.  It  is, 
however,  hoped  that  the  returns  in  the  form  of  cotton  will  to  a  great 
extent  balance  this  expenditure.  For  these  most  valuable  services 
rendered  by  the  Association,  the  Sierra  Leone  Government  will  con- 
tribute £1,500,  Lagos  £2,000,  and  Southern  Nigeria  £3,000  per  annum 
for  three  years.  The  Government  of  Sierra  Leone  and  Lagos  also 
agree  to  make  no  charge  on  their  railways  for  carrying  cotton  for  three 
years. 

Sierra  Leone. 

The  results  so  far  attained  have  been  fairly  satisfactory.  In  Sierra 
Leone  some  excellent  cotton  has  been  grown,  but  last  season's  crop  has 
been  a  partial  failure.  The  cause  of  this  may  be  the  exceptionally 
heavy  rains  which  fell  last  year.  The  work,  however,  is  not  being  relaxed 
in  any  way,  and  very  careful  experiments  are  now  being  organised  with 
different  varieties  of  seed,  planted  at  intervals  of  a  fortnight,  so  that 
after  this  season  it  may  be  possible  to  state  definitely  which  variety  is 
likely  to  be  most  successful,  and  which  is  the  best  planting  time. 
Prizes  are  also  being  offered  to  the  natives  for  the  best  cultivated  plots. 
An  efficient  ginning  factory,  with  three  saw  gins,  driven  by  an  oil 
engine,  was  opened  a  few  weeks  ago.  This  factory  will  be  capable  of 
dealing  with  5,000  bales  per  annum.  The  machinery  was  all  made  in 
England,  as  the  American-made  machinery  was  not  found  satisfactory. 
The  Macarthy  gin  has  proved  useless  for  ginning  West  African  cotton, 
and  in  future  only  saw  gins  will  be  sent  out.  It  should  also  be 
mentioned  that  experts  accustomed  to  cotton-growing  in  the  United 
States  find  their  experience  very  little  good  in  West  Africa,  as  the 
conditions  are  entirely  different ;  and  the  Association  is  now  sending  out 


COTTON -GROWING  99 

young  English  farmers  who  have  had  a  scientific  training,  and  it  is  to 
be  hoped  that  in  the  next  few  years  the  Association  will  have  at  their 
disposal  a  large  staff  of  competent  English  experts. 

Lagos. 

In  Lagos  the  results  have  been  more  than  satisfactory.  In  1901-2 
cotton  did  not  appear  as  an  export,  in  1902-3  the  total  did  not  reach 
250  bales  of  5001b.,  in  1908-4  Lagos  exported  2,000  bales,  and  this 
season  the  Association  expect  from  6,000  to  10,000  bales  from  this 
one  Colony,  which  will  be  worth  from  £50,000  to  £80,000.  Those 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  usually  slow  developments  one  is 
accustomed  to  in  West  Africa  will  realise  with  what  wonderful  rapidity 
this  comparatively  large  result  has  been  obtained.  This  is  due  partly 
to  the  fact  that  the  Yorubas  are  naturally  inclined  to  agricultural  work, 
and  partly  to  the  very  active  co-operation  of  the  Government  officials. 
All  this  cotton  has  been  grown  by  the  natives,  as  the  Association's 
plantations  have  only  just  been  commenced.  There  are  two  small 
ginning  factories,  at  Abeokuta  and  Ibadan,  but  a  large  and  up-to-date 
ginnery  is  now  in  course  of  erection.  It  will  contain  five  saw  gins  of 
70  saws  each,  with  a  large  hydraulic  press,  and  will  be  driven  by  an  oil 
engine  of  100  h.p.  The  cotton  will  be  carried  to  the  gins  by  pneumatic 
pressure  and  delivered  by  the  same  means  to  the  press,  so  as  to  avoid 
all  handling.  The  ginnery  wall  be  capable  of  dealing  with  10,000 
bales  in  a  season,  and  will  be  one  of  the  most  perfectly  equipped 
ginneries  in  the  world.  Several  hundred  bales  of  last  year's  crop 
have  already  been  received,  and  the  quality,  generally  speaking,  is 
excellent,  and  shows  a  great  improvement  on  that  of  the  previous  season. 
The  cotton  has  sold  in  Liverpool  at  prices  varying  from  -Jd.  per  lb.  to 
fd.  per  lb.  over  middling  American.  There  is  no  doubt  that  we  can 
look  to  Lagos  as  an  important  source  of  supply  in  the  immediate 
future,  but  it  is  almost  certain  that  the  best  results  can  be  obtained 
in  those  parts  of  the  Colony  lying  north  of  the  palm-oil  belt,  and  it  is 
therefore  most  essential  that  the  railway  should  be  extended  from 
Ibadan  in  a  northerly  direction.  Arrangements  have  now  been  com- 
pleted for  extending  the  railway  from  Ibadan  to  Oshogbo,  and  a  road 
is  also  being  constructed  from  Ibadan  to  Oyo,  a  distance  of  25  miles, 
which  will  open  up  a  very  important  cotton  district.  The  great  hopes 
of  the  Association  are,  however,  centred  on  that  large  tract  of  country 
lying  between  Ibadan  and  the  Niger. 

Southern  Nigeria. 

In  Southern  Nigeria  some  experimental  work  was  commenced  at 
Onitsha,  which  was  fairly  satisfactory  last  year,  and  has  been  still 
more  successful  this  season.  Over  100  bales  of  cotton  have  been 
received  this  year,  grown  on  the  Association's  plantation,  from 
American  seed,  and  of  good  useful  quality.  A  large  experiment  was 
also  made  on  the  Sobo  Plains,  nearer  the  sea,  but  this  experiment  has 
been  a  complete  failure.  The  principal  work  has  now  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  Uromi  country,  which  lies  north  of  the  palm-oil  belt. 
Exhaustive  experiments  are  being  carried  out  with  different  varieties 
of  seed,  but  so  far  the  American  seed  has  been  found  the  most  satis- 
factory', and  it  may  be  stated  as  practically  proved  that  American 
seed  will  do  well  throughout  West  Africa. 


100  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Northern  Nigeria. 

In  Northern  Nigeria  there  is  an  area  of  323,000  square  miles,  and 
a  population  of  10,000,000.  The  Association  has  undertaken  no  prac- 
tical work  so  far,  but  important  proposals  have  been  made  to  the 
Government  which  are  now  under  consideration.  The  great  difficulty 
is  transport,  and  before  any  large  developments  can  take  place,  railways 
will  have  to  be  constructed.  Two  experts  have  visited  the  Colony,  and 
they  are  unanimous  in  reporting  that  Northern  Nigeria  contains  the 
best  cotton  land  they  have  ever  seen.  Large  quantities  of  cotton  are 
grown  by  the  natives  for  their  own  use,  and  Kano  has  often  been  called 
the  Manchester  of  West  Africa.  There  is  practically  no  doubt  that  at 
some  future  date  this  country  can  and  will  produce  millions  of  bales  of 
cotton. 

Some  experiments  are  also  being  made  in  Australia,  but  it  is 
extremely  doubtful  whether  cotton  can  ever  be  economically  produced 
by  white  labour.  Enquiries  have  also  been  made  in  Borneo,  Cyprus, 
Fiji,  Mauritius,  and  other  Colonies,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  cotton 
can  be  grown  in  all  of  them.  In  fact,  one  can  safely  state  that  cotton 
is  a  natural  product  in  any  tropical  country,  and  that  time,  capital  and 
experience  will  alone  prove  whether  it  can  be  produced  on  the  only 
possible  permanent  and  commercial  basis — namely,  as  a  profitable  crop 
for  the  cultivator. 

To  sum  up  the  results  of  the  work  of  the  British  Cotton- Growing 
Association  in  a  few  words,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  these  results 
have  practically  proved  that  the  British  Empire  is  able  to  produce  a  vast 
amount  of  Cotton  and  of  every  quality  necessary  for  the  needs  of  the  world. 
This  is  due  in  the  first  place  to  the  untiring  and  unselfish  way  in 
which  the  members  of  the  Council  have  devoted  their  valuable  time  to 
the  work  of  management ;  in  the  second  place  to  the  hearty  and  willing 
co-operation  of  the  Colonial  Office  and  of  the  Government  officials;  and 
lastly  to  the  generous  financial  support  received,  not  only  from  the 
spinners  and  manufacturers,  but  also  from  the  operatives.  Lancashire 
may  well  feel  proud  of  the  public  spirit  of  her  working  classes,  who 
have  subscribed  large  sums  of  money  in  support  of  this  great  move- 
ment at  a  time  when  they  were  suffering  severe  losses  and  actual 
privations  owing  to  the  mills  running  short  time.  Probably  no  move- 
ment has  ever  received  such  general  support  from  all  classes  of  the 
community. 

I  should  also  like,  on  behalf  of  the  British  Cotton-Growing  Associa- 
tion, to  express  our  great  satisfaction  that  several  European  countries 
have  also  recognised  the  vast  importance  of  this  question,  and  are 
carrying  on  work  similar  to  our  own.  It  is  also  a  pleasure  to  recognise 
the  progress  that  they  have  been  making,  and  a  still  greater  pleasure 
to  call  public  attention  to  the  cordial  relations  which  exist  between 
their  Associations  and  ours.  We  all  now  recognise  that  it  is  the  duty 
of  the  manufacturing  nations  of  Europe  to  heartily  co-operate  in 
establishing  new  cotton  fields,  so  as  to  ensure  the  one  great  essential 
for  the  prosperity  of  their  trade — ample  supplies  of  the  raiv  material  at 
reasonable  prices. 


COTTON-GROWING  101 

THE    COLONIES    OF    EUROPEAN    COUNTRIES. 

M.  C.  Berger  presented  the  following  report  on  "  Cotton -Growing 
in  the  Colonies  of  European  Countries  ": — 

The  enormous  development  of  the  cotton  industries  which  has 
taken  place  during  the  last  fifteen  years  in  England  and  on  the  whole 
of  the  Continent,  and  which  was  coincident  with  the  creation  of 
numerous  establishments  in  the  United  States  of  America,  has  certainly 
been  the  cause  of  the  incessant  and  important  fluctuations  in  the  raw 
material  which  have  been  observed  during  these  last  seasons. 

American  speculation,  powerfully  assisted  by  the  capital  placed  at 
its  disposal,  has  specially  turned  its  attention  in  latter  years  towards 
raw  cotton,  bearing  well  in  mind  that  all  the  industries  on  the  Conti- 
nent working  with  cotton  could  only  subsist  by  drawing  their  supplies 
from  America,  as  India  and  Egypt  only  supply  very  small  quantities 
to  European  spindles,  and  the  cotton  from  these  sources  is  not  in 
general  use. 

Thus,  being  masters  of  the  situation,  whilst  considering  in  no  way 
the  prosperity  or  non-prosperity  of  the  trade  in  general,  speculators 
have  raised  or  lowered  prices  at  their  will,  and  to-day  we  are  at  the 
mercy  of  the  American  jobbers.  ^^ 

The  struggle  under  these  circumstances  is  a  most  difficult  one ; 
we  had  the  proof  of  it  in  the  season  1903-1904,  and  we  have  had  still 
further  proof  of  it  in  the  present  season  1904-1905.  In  1904  the  raw 
material  underwent  an  enormous  rise,  such  as  had  previously  never 
been  heard  of,  except  during  the  War  of  Secession;  the  crop,  which, 
at  its  beginning,  was  estimated  as  being  likely  to  reach  13,000,000 
bales,  was  exceedingly  small,  and  did  not  correspond  to  the  needs  of  the 
trade.  The  cotton  rates  reached  the  price  of  frcs.  108  (50  kilos.).  They 
would  have  gone  beyond  that  price  had  not  the  danger  which  threatened 
the  industry  been  foreseen,  and  if  we  had  not  had  recourse  to  "  short 
time."  This  season,  the  forecasts  of  the  crop  describe  it  as  being  one 
of  the  most  important  ever  known,  13,500,000  bales,  perhaps  14,000,000; 
everything,  therefore,  would  point  to  an  inevitable  drop  in  price. 

In  spite  of  this  supply,  which  allows  of  the  feeding  of  all  the 
spindles  in  the  whole  world,  the  Americans,  feeHng  themselves  masters 
of  the  article,  have  been  able  by  their  arrangements  to  keep  the  cotton 
back  for  several  months,  and  have  only  parted  with  it  in  small  quantities, 
keeping  rates  up  at  limits  which  leave  them  a  very  considerable  profit. 

This  is  a  new  demonstration  of  the  power  of  American  speculation, 
and  the  perfect  understanding  existing  between  producers  and  holders 
of  an  article  which  both  know  to  be  indispensable  to  all  cotton  indus- 
tries. This  exceptional  holding-up  of  the  prices  of  the  American  cotton 
has  helped  the  Indians  and  Egyptians  to  maintain,  on  their  side,  prices 
which  interfere  considerably  with  the  working  of  the  spindles  using 
these  two  kinds  of  cotton. 

The  American  spinners  are  passing  through  the  same  crisis  as  the 
spinners  of  the  Old  World,  but  they  feel  to-day  that  they  can  look 
forward  to  a  better  future. 

Backed  up  by  their  Government,  American  spinners  and  manu- 
facturers have  but  one  end  in  view,  the  development  of  spindles  and 
looms  in  order  to  reach  a  given  moment,  still  distant,  but  fatally  sure. 


102  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

when  they  will  be  able  to  export  no  longer  cotton  in  bales,  but  in 
woven  goods  in  all  the  different  ways  required  by  the  consumers  of  the 
entire  world. 

Confronted  by  this  very  grave  situation,  England  and  all  the 
countries  of  the  Continent  possessing  colonies  which  offer  the  con- 
ditions needed  for  the  cultivation  of  cotton,  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  it  was  necessary  to  take  steps  which  should  render  them  henceforth 
independent  of  one  single  producer  of  indispensable  raw  material. 

Each  set  to  work,  and  at  the  present  time  we  find  ourselves  face 
to  face  with  Colonial  Cotton  Associations,  formed  in  England,  Ger- 
many, Italy,  Belgium,  Portugal,  Spain  and  France ;  interesting  trials 
in  the  way  of  cotton-growing  are  even  spoken  of  as  being  made  in 
South  America,  and,  above  all,  in  the  Argentine  Republic. 

The  various  Associations  with  which  my  report  will,  later  on, 
deal  separately  from  the  point  of  view  of  progress  made  and  results 
achieved,  have  almost  passed  beyond  the  stage  of  studies,  and  are 
entering  into  the  real  period  of  commercial  activity. 

It  may  be  said  that  everywhere  rapid  strides  have  been  made,  and 
that  the  results  obtained  prove  the  great  vitality  of  these  enterprises, 
when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  it  has  been  necessary  to  develop  this 
cultivation  in  the  midst  of  a  race  generally  disinclined  to  work,  to  prove 
to  this  race  what  resources  they  would  annually  derive  from  the  growth 
of  cotton,  to  furnish  the  latter  with  seed  calculated  to  produce  the  best 
quality,  to  organise  little  by  little  centres  for  purchasing,  ginning, 
pressing,  packing,  and,  above  all,  to  endeavour  to  secure  reasonable 
rates  of  transport,  which  is  the  most  difficult  task  to  perform. 

Everything  is  really  going  on  in  the  right  way,  and  we  may  venture 
to  hope  that  a  few  years  hence  the  crop  of  cotton  will  be  sufficiently 
large  to  compete  with  America,  and  to  oblige  that  country  to  keep  its 
prices  within  more  reasonable  limits. 

The  natives  cultivating  cotton  at  the  present  time  are  stimulated 
by  the  inducement  of  gain ;  they  were,  in  many  regions,  astonished 
that  anyone  should  pay  them  money  for  a  material  which  for  them  had 
no  value  except  for  their  personal  needs. 

This  question  of  the  cultivation  of  cotton  has  become  a  universal 
question,  in  which  the  public  seem  to  become  more  and  more  interested 
owing  to  their  understanding  what  an  essential  thing  cotton  is  for  all 
classes  of  society,  and  how  many  human  beings  it  maintains,  and  to 
how  many  human  beings  it  is  indispensable.  Cotton  is  certainly  of  all 
textiles  the  most  democratic  and  the  most  necessary  to  all,  rich  or  poor. 

In  each  country  the  Government  should  lend  its  support  financially 
to  the  Colonial  Cotton  Association,  and,  by  special  measures,  favour 
those  persons  who  are  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  cotton. 

What  will  take  place  when  each  country  produces  cotton  in  its 
colonies  to  feed  a  good  part  of  its  spindles  ?  When  that  moment 
comes  we  must  expect  anything  and  everything  from  the  Americans, 
and  most  assuredly  the  Old  World  will  have  to  take  protective  measures 
against  the  invasion  of  the  products  of  the  New  World.  For  the 
moment,  do  not  let  us  dwell  too  much  on  the  future,  let  us  occupy 
ourselves  especially  with  the  present,  leaving  all  care  of  the  struggle  to 
our  successors  in  the  cotton  trade. 


COTTON-GROWING  103 

Permit  me  now,  after  this  perhaps  somewhat  pessimistic  digression, 
to  post  you  up  as  to  the  present  situation  of  each  of  the  Colonial 
Cotton  Associations. 

Russia. — I  have  little  to  say  to  you  about  Russia,  which  first  of 
all  thought  of  developing  the  cultivation  of  cotton  in  the  province  of 
Turkestan,  and  succeeded  in  causing  it  to  produce,  after  fourteen  years, 
sufficient  for  one-third  of  its  consumption. 

Russia  will  continue  this  work,  which  has  been  so  well  begun,  as 
soon  as  she  has  recovered  from  the  terrible  trial  she  is  now  passing 
through,  and  which,  to-day,  deprives  us  of  the  presence  of  her  Delegate 
to  the  International  Committee. 

Belgium. — Belgium  possesses  an  immense  field  in  Belgian 
Congo,  representing  a  tract  of  land  five  times  larger  than  France. 
At  this  moment  she  is  making  trials  to  some  extent  everywhere 
over  this  vast  territory,  but  we  may  say  even  now  that  the  cultivation 
of  cotton  will  be  localised  in  the  country  to  the  south-west,  near  the 
sea,  and  situated  to  the  north  of  Angola,  a  Portuguese  possession, 
thus  avoiding  laborious  and  costly  transport  in  spite  of  the  facilities 
offered  by  navigation  on  the  Congo.  A  railway  will  be  constructed 
through  the  district  where  the  Congo  is  not  navigable. 

The  trials  of  cotton-growing  on  the  Congo  are  being  made  by 
Americans  who  have  come  from  Texas  and  are  well  acquainted  with 
cotton.  The  native,  taking  little  interest  in  it  and  disinclined  to 
labour,  will  only  work  under  the  direction  of  whites ;  when  the  whites 
have  gone  away,  he  returns  to  his  primitive  lazy  habits,  and  becomes 
once  more  a  warrior  and  even  a  cannibal.  American  seed  appears 
very  likely  to  thrive  and  produce  a  satisfactory  quality. 

Italy. — Italy  is  making  trials  in  cotton-growing  in  Erythrea  only, 
the  soil  of  which  seems  favourable  to  the  production  of  varieties 
resembling  that  of  Egyptian.  The  cotton  obtained  to-day  appears  of 
good  quality  and,  as  it  is  still  the  subject  of  study,  the  products  gathered 
are  carried  to  Italy  after  undergoing  the  process  of  ginning  in  Egypt, 
that  is,  half-way  between  the  country  of  production  and  the  country  of 
consumption.  When  cotton  grown  in  Erythrea  is  produced  in  sufficient 
quantity,  the  Italian  Colonial  Cotton  Association  will  discuss  the  laying 
down  of  special  plant  for  ginning  and  packing. 

Spain. — Cotton  is  cultivated  in  no  Spanish  colony.  Efforts  have 
been  made  to  grow  it  in  some  parts  of  the  south  of  Spain  and  in  the 
Balearic  Isles,  where  in  former  times  it  gave  satisfactory  results.  It 
was  abandoned  because  the  cultivation  of  this  plant  was  unremunera- 
tive.  The  quality  obtained  was  at  the  very  least  as  good  as  Egyptian. 
In  recent  times,  on  account  of  the  rise  in  cotton,  efforts  at  cultivation 
have  again  been  made.  The  Spanish  Government  endeavoured  to 
encourage  this  movement  by  means  of  a  Bill  passed  by  the  Chamber 
in  1904,  by  which  exemption  from  taxation  is  granted  for  three  years 
on  lands  intended  for  growth  of  cotton,  and  a  distribution  of  prizes  is 
made  in  cash  to  the  amount  of  60,000  pesetas  for  the  first  year,  100,000 
pesetas  for  the  second  year,  and  250,000  pesetas  for  the  third  year,  to 
the  growers  who  produce  it  in  the  greatest  quantity. 

These  prizes  are  awarded  by  a  jury  composed  of  the  Presidents  of 
the   Superior  Council  of  Agriculture,  of  the  Agronomic  Consultative 


104  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Association,  and  of  the  Committee  of  National  Work.  Notwithstand- 
ing these  great  inducements,  it  does  not  seem  that  the  cultivation  of 
cotton  on  a  great  scale  is  developing,  principally  because  its  yield  is 
unremunerative.  From  the  trials  recently  made  in  Andalusia  it  has 
been  found  that  the  net  cost  is  more  than  170  pesetas  per  100  kilo- 
grammes. 

Portugal. — The  Portuguese  Government  appointed  in  the 
month  of  August,  1904,  a  special  Commission  for  the  purpose  of  study- 
ing and  proposing  means  to  develop  the  cultivation  of  cotton.  This 
commission,  presided  over  by  the  Governor  of  the  province  of  Angola, 
was  composed  of  honorary  Ministers  of  State,  the  General  Director 
of  the  Administration  of  the  Colonies,  and  the  representatives  of  the 
Home  and  Colonial  Associations  of  Industry,  Commerce,  and  Agri- 
culture. The  work  of  the  Commission  was  terminated  in  the  month 
of  March,  1905,  when  it  presented  to  the  Minister  of  the  Colonies 
a  report  giving  a  recital  of  the  facts  connected  with  the  cultivation  of 
cotton  in  the  Portuguese  colonies,  and  proposing  a  Bill,  which  the 
Minister  adopted,  with  a  view  to  laying  the  same  before  Parliament. 
This  Bill  proposes : — 

1.  To  quote  colonial  cotton  on  the  Exchanges  of  Lisbon  and 
Oporto  through  the  agency  of  the  municipal  associations,  which  would 
undertake  to  buy  all  cotton  grown  at  the  price  quoted,  in  accord  with 
the  Exchanges  of  England,  Germany  and  France. 

2.  Exemption  from  all  land  taxes  in  Africa,  and  from  exportation 
and  entrance  duties  to  the  home  markets,  which  represent  a  profit  of 
ten  centimes  per  kilogramme  in  relation  to  the  importation  of  foreign 
cottons,  and  exemption  of  entrance  duties  for  all  machines  intended 
for  the  cultivation  of  cotton. 

3.  Selection  of  seed,  and  distribution  in  the  cotton  stations  estab- 
lished in  the  regions  most  favourable  to  the  growth  of  cotton. 

4.  Reduction  of  the  tariffs  of  railroads  and  freights  by  the  boats 
of  the  National  Company,  and  an  early  opening  of  all  the  necessary 
routes  of  communication. 

This  Bill  will  be  brought  forward  for  discussion  in  the  present 
session  of  Parliament,  and  every  hope  is  entertained  that  afterwards 
a  special  Association  will  be  organised  in  order  to  promote  the  fullest 
development  needed  in  the  cultivation  of  cotton,  profiting  by  the  con- 
cession obtained  from  the  Portuguese  Government. 

The  cultivation  of  cotton  is  already  beginning  to  assume  some 
importance,  and  keen  interest  is  displayed  by  the  Colonial  Companies 
and  by  the  natives. 

The  importations  of  cotton  from  Angola,  which  were  17,000  kilo- 
grammes in  1903,  rose  to  107,000  kilogrammes  in  1904.  In  1905 
larger  quantities  are  counted  upon,  coming  from  the  west  coast  and 
also  from  the  east  coast,  where  very  considerable  plantations  have  been 
made  by  the  Company  of  Mozambique  and  other  colonial  societies. 

The  qualities  obtained  are  fine  and  certainly  superior  to  the 
American  quality  "  good  middling."  In  the  province  of  Angola,  as  in 
Mozambique,  there  are  territories  large  enough  to  produce  a  quantity 
of  cotton  sufficient  for  the  entire  consumption  of  the  world,  and  the 
conditions  of  cultivation  are  of  the  most  favourable  kind. 


COTTON -GROWING  105 

Germany. — The  German  Association,  known  under  the  name  of 
•'  Kolonial-Wirtschaftliclies  Komitee,"  has  begun  with  a  sum  of 
987,000  francs.  It  also  receives  annually,  botli  from  the  imperial 
government  and  from  the  government  of  Togo  and  West  Africa,  75,000 
francs,  an  amount  which  will  certainly  be  increased  this  season.  The 
production  of  cotton  is  progressing,  and  the  quality  appears  to  give 
satisfaction  to  those  who  have  used  it.  The  places  where  cotton  is 
produced  in  the  German  colonies  are  favourably  situated  as  regards 
transport  to  the  centres  of  consumption.  I  have  not  the  necessary 
information  to  give  you  an  idea  of  the  quantities  produced  up  to  the 
present  and  those  expected  this  year. 

England. — A  gentleman  who  can  speak  with  more  authority  than 
I,  my  friend,  Mr.  Hutton,  will  give  you  the  necessary  information  about 
the  English  colonies.  I  have  merely  to  tell  you  of  the  increase  in  the 
cultivation  of  cotton  in  the  very  numerous  English  colonies. 

For  the  season  of  1904,  the  value  of  cotton  gathered  may  be  esti- 
mated at  £100,000  ;  for  the  season  now  running,  if  nothing  occurs  to 
damage  the  crops,  the  value  of  cotton  to  be  gathered  may  be  estimated 
at  £250,000.  It  must  be  granted  that  this  is  a  magnificent  result, 
when  one  bears  in  mind  the  modest  resources  which  have  allowed  this 
result  to  be  reached. 

In  England  the  firm  opinion  is  held  that  the  yield  of  cotton  in  the 
various  colonies  of  the  Continent  will  be  easily  absorbed.  This  opinion 
is  based  on  the  fact  that  it  is  impossible  to  plant  cotton  in  America 
over  a  greater  area  than  35,000,000  acres,  and  upon  the  annual  increase 
of  spindles  consuming  400,000  bales  more  each  year.  If  the  colonies 
do  not  produce  a  large  amount  with  their  new  growths,  many  spindles 
will  be  exposed  to  the  danger  of  lying  idle  for  want  of  raw  material. 
On  the  other  hand  certainly  the  Cotton-Growing  Associations  will  have 
accomplished  a  great  work,  by  assuring  to  the  new  cotton-producers 
undoubted  success  and  satisfactory  remuneration  for  the  efforts  made. 

France. — In  1903,  we  occupied  ourselves  with  prospecting;  in 
1904,  we  made  a  selection  based  on  the  results  obtained  and  on  the 
fresh  information  we  have  been  able  to  gather  concerning  certain 
regions  respecting  which,  at  the  beginning,  we  felt  some  hesitation  as 
regards  their  suitability  for  cotton  growing.  Our  efforts  were  more 
particularly  directed  to  the  Soudan,  Dahomey,  Madagascar,  and  the 
region  of  Oran  in  Algeria. 

Soudan. — In  the  Soudan,  the  Association  considered  that  prudence 
and  reason  counselled  that  they  should  not  split  up  their  forces,  and 
decided  to  concentrate  their  action  in  the  region  of  Segou,  which  was 
favourable,  both  on  account  of  the  numerous  native  plantations  to  be 
found  there,  and  through  its  relative  proximity  (170  kilometres)  to 
Koulikoro,  on  the  Niger,  the  head  of  the  railway  line  which  ends  at  » 
Kayes,  on  the  Senegal. 

In  1904,  the  natives  were  in  general  quite  disposed  to  continue  the 
effoits  made  the  previous  year,  for  they  had  recognised  the  superior 
quality  of  cotton  produced  from  the  American  seeds.  Five  tons  of 
this  seed  were  sent  in  May,  1904,  and  distributed  for  the  greater  part 
in  several  villages  in  the  districts  of  Segou. 

The  natives  cultivated  carefully,  and  willingly  followed  the  advice 
given  them,  and  relying  on  a  return  for  their  work,  they  showed  them- 


106  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

selves  eager  to  sow  the  exotic  seed.  The  cotton  season  of  1904-1905 
commenced  under  fairly  good  auspices,  the  raising  of  seed  was  carried 
on  regularly,  and  the  growing  crops  gave  excellent  promise. 

In  the  month  of  January  last,  a  letter  brought  us  less  good  news 
as  regards  the  plantations ;  the  cotton  trees  had  suffered  much  from 
the  drought  caused  by  an  east  wind  which  damaged  a  great  part  of  the 
crops  in  the  Soudanese  region.  It  is  to  be  noticed  that  the  native 
cotton  plants  of  two  years'  growth  suffered  least,  because  their  roots 
had  been  able  to  reach  a  cool  subsoil.  In  a  like  manner  the  cotton 
trees  produced  by  our  American  seed  sown  in  June,  1904,  that  is  to  say 
in  the  same  year,  were  less  affected  than  the  native  cotton  plants  of  the 
same  age. 

I  must  point  out  that  the  drought  was  almost  general  in  West 
Africa,  and  that  the  news  we  have  received  from  all  sides  allows  us  to 
state  that  our  Colonial  Cotton  Association  has  not  been  the  only  one  to 
suffer  thereby.  This  is  but  a  slight  consolation,  yet  this  incident  leads 
us  to  think  that  it  will,  perhaps,  be  necessary,  in  certain  districts,  to  make 
use  of  irrigation  in  future,  in  order  not  to  see  the  crops  exposed  to  almost 
complete  destruction  in  case  of  a  severe  and  irregular  cold  season. 

Dahomey. — Our  action  in  this  colony  is  of  too  recent  a  date  to 
allow  us  to  form  any  opinion.  The  Colonial  Cotton  Association  caused 
exotic  seed  to  be  distributed,  but  in  this  country  also  rain  did  not  fall  in 
sufficient  abundance,  and  came  too  late.  The  drought,  fortunately,  does 
not  appear  to  have  done  damage  to  the  same  extent  as  in  the  Soudan. 

Madagascar. — The  trials  undertaken  in  1903,  with  various 
varieties  of  seed,  have  proved  that  this  island  could  furnish  abun- 
dantly, principally  on  the  west  coast,  products  remarkable  both  in 
respect  of  length  and  fineness  of  their  fibre.  In  November,  distribution 
of  seed  will  be  made  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  western  districts,  and  of 
the  province  of  Betsileo. 

Algeria. — Two  hundred  kilogrammes  of  Egyptian  seed  have 
been  distributed  by  the  Association  to  colonists  settled  on  the  plains  of 
Sigg.  de  Perregaux  and  de  Relizane.  The  different  cottons  obtained  are 
of  quite  remarkable  qualities,  and  met  with  great  appreciation  in  the 
market  of  Havre. 

The  French  Government  lends  its  aid  to  the  development  of  cotton- 
growing  in  its  various  colonies,  carrying  out  works  necessary  in  the 
construction  of  the  means  of  communication,  which  in  two  or  three 
years'  time  will  allow  of  the  cotton  being  brought  to  the  French  ports 
at  rates  no  higher  than  are  paid  from  New  Orleans  or  Galveston. 

The  natives  of  Soudan  and  Dahomey  seem  to  take  very  kindly  to 
the  new  cultivation,  which,  after  much  thought,  was  recommended  to 
them.  They  are  pleased  to  receive  money  in  exchange  for  their  cotton, 
and  are  satisfied  with  the  qualities  obtained  from  American  seed  ;  they 
recognise  so  well  the  difference  of  quality  that,  at  the  time  of  the  last 
crop,  they  kept  for  themselves  the  cotton  obtained  from  American  seed, 
and  wanted  to  deliver  to  us  the  cotton  gathered  from  their  native  cotton- 
trees. 

The  qualities  obtained  in  the  Soudan,  Dahomey,  Madagascar,  and 
also  in  Algeria,  are  of  ^'ery  good  staple  and  have  been  very  well 
manipulated,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  specimens  which  we  submit  for 
your  appreciation. 


COTTON-GROWING  107 

PORTUGUESE    COLONIES. 

A  report  on  "  Cotton-Growing  in  the  Portuguese  Colonies"  was 
submitted  by  Senhor  H.  P.  Taveira. 

On  July  15th,  1904,  the  Portuguese  Industrial  Association  pre- 
sented to  His  Excellency  the  Minister  of  the  Marine  and  the  Colonies 
(General  Gorjao)  a  statement  pointing  out  the  results  of  the  delibera- 
tions of  the  first  Congress,  held  at  Zurich,  from  the  28rd  to  the  27th  of 
May,  190-1,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Federation  of  Master  Cotton 
Spinners'  Associations. 

That  statement  contained  the  history  of  the  cotton  industry  in 
Portugal,  signalling  the  priority  of  this  country  in  the  cultivation  and 
exploitation  of  the  cotton  tree  in  the  African  colonies,  and  praying  the 
Government  to  renew  the  efforts  made  some  fifty  years  ago  to  efficiently 
protect  the  development  of  the  cotton  industry,  which  includes  many 
very  important  interests  for  the  commercial  world. 

A  Commission  was  charged,  on  August  8th,  1904,  to  study  the 
question.  This  Commission  remembered,  first  of  all,  the  capacities  of 
the  Portuguese  colonies  for  the  cultivation  of  the  cotton  plant,  and  the 
duty  of  interesting  Portugal  in  the  international  work  of  the  augmen- 
tation of  the  raw  material  so  necessary  for  a  huge  European 
industry. 

The  Commission  was  presided  over  by  Councillor  Dias  Costa, 
formerly  Minister  of  the  Marine  and  the  Colonies,  and  was  composed 
of  the  late  governors  of  colonies,  MM.  Ramada  Curto  and  Ed.  Costa, 
chefs  du  bureau  du  ministere,  MM.  Machado  and  Ribeiro,  representing  the 
commercial  associations  of  Lisbon  and  Oporto,"  of  the  Colonial  Bank, 
of  the  Portuguese  Navigation  Company  to  the  African  ports,  also  the 
colonial  agriculturists  MM.  le  Comte  de  Val-Flor,  Bacelar  and 
Almeida,  the  professors  Pereira  and  Castro,  of  the  Lisbon  Agricultural 
Institute,  and  the  agriculturists  MM.  Almeida  and  Seabra. 

The  Commission  concluded  its  labours  on  the  17th  March,  1905, 
and  presented  to  His  Excellency  M.  Moreira,  Jun.,  the  Minister  of  the 
Marine  and  the  Colonies,  a  detailed  report,  the  result  of  a  profound  study 
of  the  question.  The  report  was  inspired  by  patriotic  sentiments,  and 
expressed  a  strong  belief  in  the  future  of  the  cultivation  of  cotton  in 
the  colonies  of  Portugal  with  the  co-operation  of  the  Government.  It 
also  pointed  out  the  possibilities  for  individual  and  collective  initiative, 
and  the  aid  which  could  be  rendered  by  the  native  element. 

The  report  found  that  the  first  legislative  measures  had  included 
all  the  necessary  elements  to  enable  the  Government  to  determine  any 
action  for  the  cultivation  of  cotton  in  these  over-sea  domains  ;  measures 
which,  initially  dating  from  1852,  were  renewed  several  times  up  to 
1865,  in  the  hope  that  the  system  might  be  brought  to  a  pitch  of 
perfection. 

One  of  the  best  parts  of  this  work  is  the  report  of  the  Colonial 


•The  Lisbon  Commercial  Association  was  represented  by  the  Director  A. 
Coelho ;  that  of  Oporto  by  M.  Araujo  (president)  ;  the  Portuguese  Industrial 
Association  by  the  president,  H.  P.  Taveira  (International  Cotton  Federation); 
and  the  Industrial  Association  of  Oporto  by  M.  A.  F    Nogueira  (president). 


108  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Council  of  1861,  Avhich,  justifying  the  royal  decree  of  December  4th  of 
the  same  year,  granted  facilities  for  the  obtaining  of  plots  of  ground"'' 
destined  for  the  cultivation  of  cotton,  and  authorised  the  Government 
to  import  a  quantity  of  chosen  seed,  with  the  view  of  distributing  it 
gratuitously  to  the  agriculturist.  Further,  it  demanded  the  purchase  of 
gins  and  other  necessary  machinery,  the  free  import  and  export  of 
cotton,  and,  indeed,  all  material  (machines,  building  materials,  agricul- 
tural implements,  means  of  transport,  and  seed)  of  which  need  would 
be  found.  Three  prizes  of  50,000  francs  (£2,000)  to  be  distributed 
each  year  during  ten  years  to  growers  having  the  finest  cotton  planta- 
tions were  also  suggested. 

In  1863,  a  Brazilian  planter  was  engaged  to  take  the  direction  of 
the  plantations  in  Angola.  In  1858,  the  exportation  of  cotton  of  the 
first  quality  already  showed  10,000  tons  in  weight.  In  1867,  this  was 
raised  to  200,000  tons,  growing  to  800,000  tons  in  1877,  but  to  descend 
to  200,000  tons  in  1890.  It  was  practically  nothing  from  1892  to  1902. 
The  following  year  the  figures  again  mounted  to  17,000  tons,  and, 
thanks  to  the  energetic  campaign  of  the  Lisbon  colonial  press,  we  find 
in  1904  an  increase  up  to  107,000  tons. 

The  plantation  of  cotton  has  again  been  taken  in  hand  in  both 
East  and  West  Africa  by  the  Portuguese  Colonial  Societies  of  Cazengo, 
of  Cabinda,  of  the  Portuguese  Congo,  of  Angola,  of  Mozambique,  of 
Zambesia,  of  Busi,  of  Luabo,  by  various  planters  in  Saint  Thomas, 
and  in  pvazos  (Zambesia)  of  the  Crown  with  a  striking  success. 

The  samples  of  the  new  cotton  sent  to  Europe  received  the  best 
price  in  the  market,  and  were  judged  superior  to  the  corresponding 
classes  of  foreign  cotton.  At  the  forthcoming  exhibition  to  be  held  in 
Manchester,  and  at  that  of  the  Imperial  Institute  in  London,  will  be 
seen  the  samples  of  Portuguese  cotton,  which  will  be  sent  by  the 
Industrial  Association  of  Portugal  and  by  the  Lisbon  Geographical 
Society. 

The  report  of  the  Portuguese  Official  Commission  pointed  out  to 
the  Government  the  measures  taken  by  the  Ministers  of  the  Marine 
and  the  Colonies  (1899  to  1901),  MM.  Ed.  Villa9a  and  Teixeira  de 
Sousa,  with  the  view  of  the  protection  of  cotton-growing.  These 
ministerial  measures  assure  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years  a  differential 
duty  of  50  per  cent,  in  favour  of  the  importation  of  Portuguese  colonial 
cotton  into  the  kingdom  of  Portugal,  and  the  exemption  from  all  duties 
on  the  exportation  of  agricultural  machines  to  the  Portuguese  colonies. 

The  present  minister,  M.  Moreira,  Jun.,  has  given  to  these 
measures  a  liberal  interpretation,  enlarging  by  this  fact  the  delicate 
question  of  customs. 

The  report  of  the  Portuguese  Official  Commission,  resuming,  as 
we  see,  the  former  national  legislation,  recalls  the  work  undertaken 
and  followed  in  foreign  countries  to  solve,  as  quickly  as  possible, 
this  very  important  problem.  It  mentions  the  initiative  of  Eng- 
land, and  the  courageous  efforts  employed  by  the  British  Cotton 
Growing  Association,  with  the  co-operation  of  the  Master  Cotton  Spin- 
ners' Associations  and  the  Trades  Unions.  It  shows  that  the  French 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  manufacturers,  colonial  societies,  and  all 


•From  1862  to  1865,  these  concessions   amounted   to   597,483   hectares   in 
Angola,  and  50,000  hectares  in  Mozambique. 


COTTON-GROWING  109 

the  government  officials,  try  to  assure  the  success  of  the  work  under- 
taken by  the  French  Cotton  Association.  And  we  see  Germany  begin- 
ning, by  the  agency  of  the  Colonial  Committee  of  Agriculture,  the 
cultivation  of  cotton  in  Togo,  in  the  Cameroons,  the  South-West  and 
East  German  Africa,  and  in  other  colonies. 

The  Commission  has  had  occasion  to  make  a  reference  to  the 
speech  made  recently  in  the  Chamber  of  Deputies,  in  France,  by  M. 
Flayelle,  on  the  cultivation  of  cotton  in  the  colonies,  and  the  influence 
it  will  have  on  the  future  of  the  French  industry — a  speech  in  which 
the  orator  spoke  strongly  in  favour  of  the  development  of  the  plantation 
of  cotton,  which  he  considered  ought  to  be  carried  on  hand  in  hand 
with  the  construction  of  railways  and  roads  for  communication. 

The  Commission  pointed  out  that  it  would  be  a  good  move  to  re- 
organise the  Bureau  of  Agriculture,  so  as  to  ensure  an  enlightened  and 
effective  exploitation  of  all  the  possibilities  of  cotton-growing.  In  its 
opinion,  the  roads  of  communication  ought  to  be  opened  out  in  all 
directions,  especially  those  which  could  be  aided  by  the  navigation  of 
the  African  rivers.  It  returned  to  and  insisted  upon  the  principle  of 
the  exemption  from  all  duties  on  import  and  export  of  colonial  cotton, 
machines  and  instruments  necessary  to  the  development  of  the  industry 
in  the  Portuguese  colonies,  and  on  seed ;  but  with  certain  restrictions 
in  order  to  prevent  the  possible  introduction  of  diseases  which  attack 
the  cotton  plant.  It  also  asked  that  the  importation  should  not  be 
authorised  except  when  the  cotton  has  been  purchased  at  the  producing 
centres  by  the  national  experts  or  by  the  foreign  associations. 

The  Commission,  approving  of  the  results  obtained  by  the  foreign 
initiative,  also  found  that  the  capability  of  the  Portuguese  colonies  to 
advantageously  contribute  to  the  extension  of  the  cotton-growing  areas 
was  great.  It  affirms  that  the  assistance  of  the  Government  would  be 
sufficient  to  assure  to  the  Portuguese  industry  all  the  raw  material 
which  it  would  have  need  of.  The  Government  would  serve  principally 
to  give  value  to  the  products  of  native  labour,  as  the  energy  of  the 
native  labourer  would  rest  upon  the  amount  of  value  placed  upon  his 
work.  By  this  he  would  know  the  quality  and  prices  of  the  cotton 
sent  by  him  to  the  market.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  assistance  of  the 
officials  and  the  missionaries  will  be  given  to  that  essentially  patriotic 
work.  It  is  necessary  to  inspire  confidence  in  the  native.  That  is  the 
best  way  to  gain  their  devotion  and  friendship,  and  the  one  mostly 
advised  by  colonial  writers.  Such  a  way  cannot  be  legislative,  as  its 
influence  is  moral,  and  depends  upon  the  character  of  the  men  and  the 
spirit  of  the  institutions.  It  is  for  those  who  hold  the  reins  of  govern- 
ment to  inspire  by  example. 

The  report  of  the  Portuguese  Official  Commission  gives  some  very 
interesting  information  on  the  trials  of  cotton-growing  in  English  Cen- 
tral Africa  in  1903-4,  and  reproduces  the  account  relative  to  the  extension 
of  the  plantation,  to  the  proportionate  production  with  regard  to  the 
purchasing  price,  to  the  cost  of  transport,  to  the  cost  of  the  installation 
of  machinery,  and  of  the  system  of  machines  generally  adopted.  We 
also  find  in  the  report  that  M.  E.  Vilhena,  Governor  of  Portuguese 
Nyassa  (1903-4),  speaks  in  his  annual  report  of  the  exceptional  con- 
ditions of  the  Nyassa  region  for  the  cultivation  of  cotton,  according  to 
the  regularity  of  the  rainy  season  which  is  not  so  well  marked  in 
the  south.      Finally,   the   report   submits  to  the  consideration  of  the 


110  INTERNATIONAL  COTTON    CONGRESS 

Government  the  following  propositions  proper,  to  establish  a  protective 
legislation  for  the  cultivation  of  cotton  in  the  Portuguese  colonies : — 

(a)  The  transactions  are  to  be   operated   by  the  agency  of  the 

Lisbon  and  Oporto  official  Bourse,  under  the  regulations  of 
the  commercial  code.  These  Bourses  will  indicate  the  origin 
of  the  cotton,  the  quantity  existing  in  the  depot,  or  on  voyage. 

(b)  With  the  assistance  of  the  Commercial  Associations  of  Lisbon, 

Oporto  and  the  Colonies,  the  local  committee  will  be  organised 
to  occupy  themselves  with  the  purchase  of  cotton,  on  behalf 
of  the  cotton  user,  and  superintend  the  actual  cotton-growing. 

(c)  The  quotations  of  colonial  cotton  will  be  regulated  according  to 

the  nomenclature,  and  the  classification  of  equivalent  products 
in  the  foreign  markets,  in  taking  into  account  the  kinds  which 
have  the  preference  of  the  national  industry.  The  prices  of 
cotton  will  be  officially  telegraphed  to  the  Portuguese  colonies, 
and  will  be  published  regularly  in  the  government  bulletin. 

{d)  In  case  of  the  foundation  in  Portugal  of  a  Cotton  Association, 
similar  to  those  of  Germany,  England  and  France,  this  would 
have  the  powers  before-mentioned  accorded  to  it  on  the  same 
basis  as  the  commercial  and  industrial  associations. 

(e)  Facilities  will  be  given  for  acquiring  ground  destined  for  the 
growing  of  cotton.  In  East  Africa  and  the  prazos  the  regula- 
tions of  the  Crown  lands  will  remain  law. 

Now  come  the  conclusions  relating  to  finances : — 

{a)  Colonial  cotton  shall  be  free  from  all  import  duty  in  the  home 

country  for  a  period  of  ten  years. 
(&)  The  additional  impost  of  ten  reis  per  kilo  shall  be  remitted. 

[c)  Portuguese  colonial  cotton  imported  for  home  consumption 
shall  be  exempt  from  the  duty  of  ten  reis  per  kilo,  which  was 
established  to  create  a  fund  for  the  construction  of  the  railway 
at  Malange. 

{d)  Agricultural  and  industrial  machines  and  instruments  for  the 
Portuguese  colonies  will  continue  to  benefit  from  their  exemp- 
tion from  all  the  customs  and  duty  charges. 

(<?)  The  Government  shall  be  authorised,  if  the  individual  or  col- 
lective initiative  is  sufficient,  to  establish  experimental  stations 
for  the  cultivation  and  preparation  of  cotton,  to  make  the  in- 
stallations necessary  for  the  instruction  of  the  natives  and  the 
heads  of  the  plantations,  and  to  multiply  the  roads  of  com- 
munication ;  also  to  arrange  for  an  acceleration  of  the  means 
of  transport  by  railway  and  shipping. 

(/)  The  exportation  of  choice  seed  will  be  free  from  all  duty  if 
these  seeds  have  been  bought  by  the  national  experts,  or  fur- 
nished by  the  cotton  associations  of  foreign  countries. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  Government  will  give  eventually,  and  for  a 
reasonable  time,  the  freedom  to  allow  the  cotton  to  remain  at  the 
custom  houses,  in  order  to  avoid  the  sale  of  stock  at  a  low  price. 

Since  this  report  has  been  presented,  M.  le  Dr.  Moreira,  Junr. 
Minister  of  the  Marine  and  the  Colonies,  has  placed  before  the 
Chamber  of  Deputies  a  proposition  asking  for  a  parliamentary  author i- 


COTTON-GROWING  111 

sation  for  the  construction  of  a  light  railway  from  Mossamedes  to 
Chella,  This  would  be  a  most  important  help  in  the  development  of 
the  agricultural  possibilities  of  the  southern  part  of  Portuguese  West 
Africa,  which  is  the  region  most  favourable  to  the  growth  of  cotton. 
The  Chamber  not  being  able  to  discuss  the  question  before  August 
26th,  we  understand  that,  in  order  that  his  scheme  shall  not  be  delayed, 
the  Minister  will  submit  for  the  King's  signature,  under  the  Act  of 
1852,  the  decree  relative  to  the  construction  of  the  railway  before- 
mentioned,  of  which  the  plans  are  already  complete. 

As  to  the  propositions  tending  towards  the  development  of  cotton- 
growing  in  Portuguese  colonies,  these  will  be  placed  before  the 
Chamber  at  the  next  session,  in  August.  Their  acceptance  cannot  be 
obtained  by  the  exceptional  means  which  have  been  used  in  the  case 
of  the  railway. 

DUTCH    COLONIES. 

M.  R.  A.  DE  MoNCHY  reported  as  follows  on  "  Cotton-Growing 
in  the  Netherlands  ": — 

In  the  Dutch  West  Indies  (Surinam  and  Cura9ao)  the  cultivation 
of  cotton  was  in  former  years  of  great  importance,  but  it  gradually 
fell  off,  and  in  recent  years  it  was  practically  nil.  Fortunately,  however, 
a  change  is  taking  place,  and  the  cultivation  of  the  plant  is  again  being 
taken  in  hand. 

The  Government  of  Cura9ao  is  now,  under  certain  conditions, 
providing  seed  gratis  for  anyone  who  wishes  to  experiment  in  this 
matter,  and  is  also  offering  prizes  for  the  best  result,  for  the  best  cul- 
tivated cotton-field  and  for  the  best  description  of  the  planter's  expe- 
rience. Again,  the  Government  will  either  provide  cotton  gins,  or 
render  assistance  in  obtaining  these  machines. 

The  Government  of  Surinam  is  also  now  providing  cotton  seed 
gratis  for  these  experiments. 

The  cotton  which  grows  wild  in  the  Dutch  W^est  Indies  is  of  about 
the  same  value  as  Upland  cotton.  The  cotton  grown  from  Egyptian 
seed  is  very  fine,  white,  and  of  long  staple.  The  cotton  grown  from 
Sea  Island  seed  is  splendid,  very  glossy  and  silky,  colour  very  good, 
staple  of  extraordinary  length. 

In  the  Dutch  East  Indies  (Islands  of  Java,  Sumatra,  Borneo  and 
Celebes)  the  cultivation  of  cotton  is  at  present  chiefly  confined  to  Java, 
although  the  cotton  which  grows  wild  in  Borneo  is  of  very  good 
quality. 

As  regards  Java,  the  Government  has  provided  advances  of  money 
(without  interest)  to  any  who  were  really  in  earnest  about  the  cultivation 
of  cotton,  and  this  has  caused  many  to  make  experiments  in  cotton- 
growing  ;  and  in  the  last  few  years  these  experiments  have  been  so 
successful,  that  the  Government  has  decided  to  continue  the  advances 
this  year. 

I  can  also  state  further  that  our  Cotton-Growing  Association  will 
send  out  some  gins  and  presses  to  Java. 


112  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

AN    APPEAL    TO    THE    NATIONS    OF    EUROPE. 

Mr.  Alfred  Emmott,  senior  Member  of  Parliament  for  Oldham, 
moved  the  following  resolution  : — 

"  That  this  International  Congress  of  Cotton  Spinners  and  Manu- 
facturers recognises  the  importance  of  the  establishment  of 
new  sources  of  the  supply  of  cotton,  and  urges  the  nations  of 
Europe  to  do  whatever  is  possible  towards  promoting  the 
cultivation  of  cotton  in  their  various  dominions." 

The  presence  of  the  Delegates,  Mr.  Emmott  said,  marked  their 
sense  of  the  importance  of  the  question  to  themselves  and  to  the 
great  trade  in  which  they  were  interested.  I  would  venture  to  utter  a 
word  of  caution  in  regard  to  the  prophecies  as  to  what  the  United 
States  of  America  can  and  cannot  do.  A  dozen  years  ago  some  of  us 
in  this  part  of  the  country  were  very  much  interested  in  the  question 
of  bimetallism.  I  think  some  of  us  were  misled  by  the  fact  that  men 
of  great  authority  then  prophesied  that  the  utmost  output  of  gold  was 
not  likely  to  exceed  twenty-five  millions  per  annum.  We  have  since 
seen  how  those  prophecies  have  been  entirely  falsified  by  subsequent 
events.  In  regard  to  the  possible  acreage  of  cotton  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  or,  rather,  in  regard  to  the  more  important  question 
of  the  amount  of  cotton  which  can  be  grown  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  I  venture  to  tender  a  word  of  caution.  If  the  acreage  is 
restricted,  even  if  thirty-five  millions  is  the  utmost  the  United  States 
of  America  can  find  for  cotton,  I  am  not  at  all  sure  a  very  great  deal 
more  cotton  cannot  be  grown  on  that  number  of  acres  than  has  been 
on  the  average  produced  per  acre  during  the  last  ten,  fifteen  or 
twenty  years.  I  am  inclined  to  believe — although  I  speak  entirely 
as  an  outsider  with  no  practical  knowledge  of  the  question — that  more 
intensified  cultivation  would  probably  pay,  and  that  a  very  great  deal 
more  cotton  per  acre  can  be  produced  there  than  has  been  produced 
in  the  past,  without  arriving  at  the  time  when  what  is  known  econo- 
mically as  the  law  of  diminishing  returns  would  apply.  That  is  to 
say,  a  great  deal  more  capital  and  labour  might  be  employed  on  the 
land  and  be  made  to  pay  in  the  cultivation  of  cotton. 

The  value  of  this  movement  for  growing  cotton  in  various  parts 
of  the  world  is  two-fold.  In  the  first  place,  we  European  nations,  who 
have  large  colonial  possessions,  are  aiding  them  and  doing  ourselves  a 
reciprocal  benefit.  In  addition,  if  we  show  to  the  United  States  of 
America,  for  whom  in  this  country  we  have  the  most  friendly  possible 
feeling,  that  we  are  not  prepared  to  allow  them  to  charge  us  whatever 
they  like  for  cotton,  that  we  are  ready  to  take  their  cotton  at  a  reason- 
able figure,  but  are  also  ready  to  provide  our  own  if  we  do  not  get  the 


COTTON -GROWING  113 

article  from  them  at  a  reasonable  figure,  then  we  are  spurring  on  the 
United  States  of  America  to  themselves  produce,  if  necessary  and  if 
desirable,  larger  quantities  of  cotton  than  they  have  done  in  the  past. 
Don't  let  us  forget  that  cotton  cultivation  in  new  districts  must  be 
slow. 

Proceeding  to  speak  of  the  difficulties  that  inevitably  face  anybody 
who  endeavours  to  encourage  the  growth  of  cotton  in  new  districts, 
Mr.  Emmott  said  there  were  sure  to  be  difficulties  as  to  labour,  and 
there  were  generally  difficulties  as  to  transport.  Experiments  had  to 
be  made  in  regard  to  the  soil,  the  climate  and  the  seed,  and  all  these 
matters  required  watching  with  the  very  greatest  care  or  else  no  satis- 
factory result  would  be  arrived  at.  The  greatest  difficulty  of  all  was 
the  labour  question.  Cotton  was  a  hot  climate  growth,  and  could  not, 
as  a  rule,  be  grown  in  those  parts  of  the  world  where  white  men  could 
work  hard  in  the  fields.  At  the  bottom  of  this  question,  so  far  as 
England  was  concerned,  there  lay  the  problem  of  how  they  could  best 
deal  with  the  black  or  coloured  labour,  that  could  alone  produce  cotton 
satisfactorily.  He  did  not  think  a  European  Congress  was  more  re- 
quired on  any  question  than  that  of  the  proper  treatment  of  the  black 
races,  who  had  become  subject  to  European  power.  He  did  not  think 
of  this  difficult  question  merely  from  a  humanitarian  or  sentimental 
point  of  view,  but  there  was  in  connection  with  it  an  ethical  question, 
an  economic  question,  and  a  psychical  question,  and  they  ought  all  to 
be  very  carefully  considered.  He  was  strongly  of  opinion  that  they 
would  never  get  large  quantities  of  cotton  grown  by  black  men  unless 
they  grew  it  as  farmers,  and  not  merely  as  hired  labourers,  and  they 
must  try  and  find  out  how  the  blacks  could  be  trained  to  produce  the 
best  results.  He  beHeved  that  this  could  be  most  effectually  done 
under  a  system  of  free  labour,  and  under  a  system  by  which  the  blacks 
retained  possession  of  the  soil  which  had  been  theirs  for  long  ages 
past.  What  we  have  to  find  out  first  of  all  is  how  to  lead  them  along 
the  paths  of  industry  and  of  commerce  without  taking  from  them  the 
freedom  of  which  we  have  no  desire  to  deprive  them. 

Mr.  Emmott  continued:  I  am  perfectly  certain  that  in  the  solution 
of  this  problem  will  be  found  the  best  solution  of  the  problem  of  the 
increased  growth  of  cotton,  particularly  in  Africa,  with  which  we  are 
dealing  to-day.  I  say  it  is  an  ethical  problem  ;  we  must  remember 
these  men  have  rights,  and  we  must  be  careful  to  recognise  them.  It 
is  an  economic  problem,  because  unless  we  treat  these  men  properly 
we  cannot  get  the  best  economic  results  from  their  labour.  And  it  is  a 
psychical  problem  because  we  must  try,  as  far  as  possible,  to  get  inside 
the  black's  mind,  so  that  we  can  most  readily  lead  him  on  the  line  of 


114  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

his  natural  development  in  order  to  become  a  better  being  than  in  the 
past,  and  a  man  who  freely,  willingly  and  happily  undertakes  the  regular 
work  which  is  necessary  for  his  moral  and  material  regeneration. 

I  have  made  these  remarks  because  I  feel  so  strongly  that  this 
cotton -growing  movement  cannot  in  the  long  run  be  in  any  sense 
dependent  upon  charity.  We  must  get  it  started  on  its  own  lines ; 
let  it  stand  on  its  own  bottom,  so  that  it  will  go  on  by  itself  as  it  has 
gone  on  in  the  United  States,  in  Egypt,  in  Brazil  and  elsewhere.  In 
order  that  this  may  be  done,  I  am  perfectly  certain  we  must  deal  with 
this  important  question  of  developing  the  mind  and  working  of  the 
black  races  in  Africa. 

The  President  formally  seconded  the  resolution,  which  was 
unanimously  adopted. 


THE    BRITISH    COTTON-GROWING    ASSOCIATION. 

Baron  Cantoni  said  he  did  not  think  they  ought  to  pass  to  other 
matters  without  expressing  their  admiration,  especially  that  of  the  con- 
tinental Delegates,  of  the  British  Cotton-Growing  Association.  We 
greatly  admire,  he  said,  the  energy  with  which  Lancashire,  followed  by 
people  in  other  parts  of  England,  has  faced  this  question  of  finding 
new  fields  of  cotton  cultivation.  The  manner  in  which  operatives  and 
employers  have  co-operated  in  this  work  is  an  example  to  the  world.  I 
move  that  we  express  our  admiration  of  the  work  of  the  British  Cotton - 
Growing  Association. 

Herr  Gross  seconded  the  resolution,  which  was  adopted. 

Mr.  HuTTON,  in  reply,  said  in  this  matter  England  is  following 
the  good  example  set  by  Germany.  We  may  have  gone  a  little  bit 
further,  possibly,  because  we  had  more  funds  at  our  disposal.  We 
value  very  much  indeed  the  scientific  information  which  our  friends  in 
Germany  have  sent  us  from  time  to  time.  On  behalf  of  my  Associa- 
tion, I  desire  to  say  that  any  information  we  have  is  at  the  disposal  of 
the  whole  world.  If  there  is  any  point  of  detail  on  which  any  of  the 
gentlemen  connected  with  the  continental  cotton-growing  movement 
would  like  information,  we  will  gladly  give  it  them.  We  know  they 
are  quite  willing  to  let  us  have  the  benefit  of  their  experience. 


Hi 


THE    ENGLISH    DELEGATE    ON    THE    EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE. 

The  President  announced,  amid  applause,  that  he  had  been 
appointed  Chairman  of  the  International  Committee.  He  remarked 
that  he  greatly  appreciated  the  honour  that  had  been  conferred  upon 
him,  and  assured  the  Delegates  that  he  would  discharge  the  duties  of 
the  office  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  His  appointment  rendered  it 
necessary  to  elect  another  English  representative  on  the  Executive 
Committee. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Tattersall,  on  behalf  of  the  English  section  of  the 
Congress,  moved  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Henry  Higson,  Chairman  of 
the  North  and  North-East  Lancashire  Spinners'  and  Manufacturers' 
Association,  subject  to  that  Association  joining  the  International 
Federation. 

The  resolution  having  been  adopted, 

Mr.  HiGSON,  in  reply,  said  during  the  two  last  Congresses,  the 
eyes  of  the  world  had  been  directed  to  their  conduct,  and  they  had 
shown  what  were  the  ambitions  and  desires  of  the  users  of  cotton. 


THE    NEXT    CONGRESS. 

The  President  announced  that  the  Committee  had  unanimously 
decided  to  recommend  that  the  next  Congress  should  be  held  in 
Germany,  which  country  came  next  to  England  in  regard  to  the 
number  of  spindles  and  looms,  so  far  as  Europe  was  concerned. 

The  recommendation  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Herr  Gross  :  I  am  deeply  gratified  with  the  kind  reception  of 
my  invitation.  I  can  assure  you  that  you  will  be  received  in  Germany 
with  the  same  warm  welcome  we  have  received  here,  although  I 
doubt  whether  we  can  offer  you  the  same  attractions  of  a  beautiful  and 
interesting  country  which  we  have  had  an  opportunity  to  enjoy  here. 
In  any  case  I  can  assure  you  of  the  heartiest  welcome,  and  I  beg  to 
thank  you  once  more  for  accepting  my  invitation  to  hold  the  next 
Congress  of  the  Federation  in  Germany. 


116 

THE    RESOLUTIONS. 

The  following  Resolutions,  dealing  with  various  matters  which  had 
been  discussed  by  the  Congress,  were  then  adopted : — 

Baling  and  Marking  of  American  Cotton. 

Moved  by  the  President,  seconded  by  Herr  Syz  : — 

"  That  this  International  Congress  of  representatives  of  Master 
Cotton  Spinners'  and  Manufacturers'  Associations  is  of  opinion 
that  the  baling  and  marking  of  American  cotton  is  at  present 
performed  in  a  very  unsatisfactory  manner,  thereby  entailing 
serious  losses  on  the  users  of  such  cotton.  It,  therefore,  urges 
the  International  Committee  to  take  the  question  into  imme- 
diate consideration  with  a  view  to  united  action  being  taken 
to  remedy  the  grievance  complained  of." 

Speculation  in  Futures. 

Moved  by  the  President,  seconded  by  Mr.  J.  B.  Tattersall  : — 

"That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Congress  the  regulations  of  the 
Alexandria  Produce  Association  for  the  buying  of  futures 
could  advantageously  be  amended,  and  that  the  Association 
be  respectfully  invited  to  consider  the  following  suggestions, 
namely,  that  it  would  greatly  improve  the  general  dealing  in 
Egyptian  cotton,  and  make  it  much  more  difficult  for  gamblers 
or  speculators  to  corner  the  market,  if  (1)  'fully  fair'  Egyptian 
cotton,  (2)  Upper  Egyptian  with  proper  allowance,  (3)  pressed 
bales  of  both  qualities  were  all  tenderable  in  addition  to  the 
present  accepted  qualities.  That  copies  of  this  resolution  be 
forwarded  to  the  Right  Hon.  A.  J.  Balfour,  M.P.,  Prime 
Minister,  the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Cromer,  British  Minister 
in  Egypt,  and  Sir  W.  H.  Houldsworth,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Chair- 
man of  the  Parliamentary  Commercial  Committee  of  the 
House  of  Commons." 

Damp  in  Cotton. 

Moved  by  the  President,  seconded  by  Herr  Gross  : — 

"  That  this  second  International  Congress  of  Master  Cotton 
Spinners'  and  Manufacturers'  Associations,  being  strongly 
impressed  by  the  reports  on  the  subject  of  damp  in  cotton, 
and  considering  it  an  important  source  of  grievance  equal  to 
the  other  complaints  brought  forward  on  the  previous  days' 
sittings  of  the  Congress  in  respect  to  bad  baling,  marking, 
and  other  matters,  urges  strongly  on  the  International  Com- 
mittee to  take  steps  for  united  action  on  the  part  of  the 
prominent  Cotton  Associations  and  the  representatives  of 
Cotton  Spinners'  and  Manufacturers'  Associations,  so  to  alter 
or  amend  the  rules  and  by-laws  of  such  cotton  associations  for 
the  purpose  of  establishing  a  basis  more  equitable  as  between 
buyer  and  seller." 


117 


Vote  of  Thanks. 

Herr  Syz  moved  the  following  resolution,  which  was  seconded  by 
Mr.  Derbyshire  and  carried: — 

"  That  the  best  thanks  of  the  Congress  be  accorded  to — 

The  President  of  the  Congress:  C.  W.  Macara. 
The  Chairmen  of  the  2nd,  8rd,  and  4th  days : — 

Arthur  Kuffler. 

Baron  Costanzo  Cantoni. 

Jean  de  Hemptinne. 
The  Secretaries  of  the  Congress. 

'*  To  the  following  gentlemen  for  contributing  papers : — 

A.  Kuffler,  H.  W.  Macalister,  F.  Gross,  J.  R.  Byrom,  T.  Roberts, 
F.  Roy,  S.  S.  Dale,  J.  A.  Hutton,  R.  A.  de  Monchy, 
C.  Berger,    J.  le  Blan,    H.  P.  Taveira,    A.  Ribeiro. 

"  Also  that  the  best  thanks  of   the  Congress,  for  invaluable 
co-operation  in  promoting  its  great  success,  be  accorded  to — 

The  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Mayor  (Sir  Thomas  Thornhill  Shann) 
and  the  Corporation  of  the  City  of  Manchester, 

The  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Mayor  (John  Lea)  and  the  Corpora- 
tion of  the  City  of  Liverpool. 

The  Right  Worshipful  the  Mayor  (Joseph  Brodie)  and  the  Corporation 
of  Blackpool. 

The  Right  Worshipful  the  Mayor  (Edwin  Trounson)  and  the  Corpora- 
tion of  Southport. 

The  Federation  of  Master  Cotton  Spinners'  Associations. 

J.  K.  Bythell  and  the  Directors  of  the  Manchester  Ship  Canal. 

J.  R,  Byrom  and  the  Directors  of  the  Manchester  Cotton  Association, 

P.  Murray  Hunter  and  the  Directors  of  the  Liverpool  Cotton  Asso- 
ciation. 

Sir  James  Hoy  and  the  Committee  of  the  School  of  Technology, 
Manchester. 

The  Officials  of  the  Manchester  and  Liverpool  Town  Halls, 

The  Directors  of  the  Royal  Exchange, 

The  Directors  of  the  Athenaeum. 

The  Reception  Committee. 

The  Social  Committee, 

and  to  all   those  who  have  in  any  way   assisted  in   connection 
with  the  Congress," 


118 


A  Souvenir. 

The  President  reported  that  at  the  Meeting  of  the  International 
Committee,  in  Brussels,  last  April,  it  was  agreed  that  a  Souvenir  of 
this  Congress  should  be  prepared.  That  had  been  done,  and  each 
Delegate  would  receive  two  copies. 

The  Delegates  Photographed. 

This  concluded  the  business  of  the  Congress,  but  before  the 
Delegates  separated  they  were  photographed,  at  the  request  of  the 
Lord  Mayor,  in  the  room  in  which  their  deliberations  had  taken  place. 


^^^^^ 


PROGRAMME.  119 

SECOND  INTERNATIONAL  CONGRESS  OF  DELEGATED 
REPRESENTATIVES  OF  MASTER  COTTON 
SPINNERS'  AND  MANUFACTURERS'  ASSOCIA- 
TIONS, HELD  ON  JUNE  5th,  6th,  7th  and  9th  at  the 
TOWN  HALL,  MANCHESTER,  and  on  JUNE  8th 
AT  the   town    HALL,   LIVERPOOL. 

Monday,  June  5th. 

9-30.  Welcome  by  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Manchester. 
10-0.     Opening  of  the  Congress. 

The  President's  Address  (Mr.  C.  W.  M  agar  a). 
Report  of  the  Committee. 
Financial  Statement. 
Appointment  of  Committee. 
Constitution  and  Rules. 
1-0.     Luncheon  given  by  the  Directors  of  the  Manchester  Ship 
Canal  Company,  and  of   the  Manchester  Cotton 
Association. 
2-30.  Visit  to  the  Manchester  Ship  Canal. 
7-30.  Reception  and  Conversazione   by  the   Lord    Mayor  and 
Corporation  of  Manchester. 

Tuesday,  June  6th. 

9-30.  Chairman's  Address  (Herr  Arthur  Kuffler). 
Organisation. 

Secretaryship  (Appointment  of  Joint  Secretary). 
Levy. 
1-30.  Visit  to  the  Manchester  School  of  Technology  and  to  the 

Royal  Exchange. 
3-0.     "The  Regulation  of  Cotton  Purchase." 
7-15.  Banquet  given  by  the   Lord    Mayor  and  Corporation  of 
Manchester. 

Wednesday,  June  7th. 

9-30.  Chairman's  Address  (Baron  Costanzo  Cantoni). 

"  Damp  in  Cotton." 
1-30.  Visit  to  Blackpool. 

Dinner  given  by  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Blackpool. 


120  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

Thursday,  June  8tm. 

9-0.     Visit  to  Liverpool. 
10-0.     Welcome  by  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Liverpool. 

Chairman's  Address  (Monsieur  Jean  de  Hemptinne). 
"  The  Metric  System  of  Weights  and  Measures." 
1-0.     Luncheon  given  by  the  Liverpool  Cotton  Association. 
3-10.  Visit  to  Southport. 

Dinner  given  by  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Southport. 

Friday,  June  9th. 

9-30.  The  President,  Mr.  C.  W.  Macara,  in  the  Chair. 

"  Cotton  Growing." 
1-0.     Luncheon    given    by   the    Federation   of    Master  Cotton 
Spinners'  Associations. 


121 


RECEPTION    COIVIIVIITTEE. 

Chairman  :  E.  Tootal  Broadhurst,  Tootal  Broadhurst  Lee  Co.,  Ltd. 

Honorary  Secretary  :  Frank  Whitworth,  St.  James'  Square. 

Samuel  Armitage,  Sir  E.  Armitage  &  Sons,  Ltd. 

John   R.  Barlow,  Barlow  &  Jones,  Ltd. 

Henry  Bell,  J.  &  A.  Leigh,  Ltd.,  Preston. 

W.  Carnelley,  Chairman  of  Rylands  &  Sons,   Ltd. 

\V.  Oswald  Carver,  HoUins  Mill  Co. 

Neville  Clegg,  Vice- Chairman  of  The  Calico  Printers'  Association,  Ltd. 

Alfred  Crewdson,  Horrockses,  Crewdson  &  Co.,  Ltd. 

Cyril  Dewhurst,  G.  &  R.  Dewhurst,  Ltd. 

A.  H.  Dl\on,  Managing  Director  of  The  Fine  Cotton  Spinners'  and 
Doublers'  Association,  Ltd. 

J.  P.  Dixon,   Baynes  &  Dixon. 

John  Emery,  Howard  Street  Mills,  Stockport. 

Alfred  Emmott,  M.P.,  Emmotts  &  Wallshaw,  Ltd. 

Tom  Garnett,  Thos.  Garnett  &  Sons,  Clitheroe. 

J.  H.  Gillet,  John  H.  Gillet  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chorley. 

Henry  P.  Greg,  Ashton  Bros.  &  Co.,  Ltd. 

Thomas  Hallam,  Delamere  Mills,  Ashton-under-Lyne. 

Wilkinson  Hartley,  Nelson. 

G.  C.  Haworth,  Rd.  Haworth  &  Co.,  Ltd. 

Sir  W.  H.  Houldsworth,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Chairman  of  The  Fine  Cotton 
Spinners  and  Doublers'  Association,  Ltd. 

E.  L.  HoYLE,  Joshua  Hoyle  &  Sons,  Ltd 

R.   H.  Jackson,  Primrose  Bank  Mill,  Oldham. 

Sir  Alfred  L.  Jones,  K.C.M.G.,  President  of  the  British  Cotton- 
Growing  Association. 

Wm.  C.  Jones,  Jones  Bros.,  Ltd. 

James  Kenyon,  James  Kenyon  &  Son,  Bury. 

\V.  H.  KiLLicK,  Nixon  &  Killick,  Chorley. 

Sir  Joseph  Leigh,  M.P.,  Portwood  Spinning  Co.,  Ltd. 


122 


INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 


{Reception    Committee — Continued. 

Wm.  C.  Macara,  Henry  Bannerman  &  Sons,  Ltd. 
W.  H.  Morris,  Cotton  Hall  Mill,  Darwen. 
James  Nuttall,  T.  Nuttall  &  Sons,  Farnworth. 
J.  Prestwich,  Busk  Mills,  Oldham. 
F.  Reyner,  Reyners  Ltd.,  Ashton-under-Lyne. 
George  Wood  Rhodes,  Thomas  Rhodes,  Ltd. 

T.    W.    Shaw,    President   of    the    Bolton    Master    Cotton    Spinners' 

Association. 
John  L.  Tattersall,  R.  H.  Buckley  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Mossley. 
R.  WoRswicK,  Hall  Carr  Mills,  Rawtenstall. 


SOCIflU  COIVUVIITTEE. 


RiCHD.    J.    Allen 

C.    A.    Brunnschweiler 

A.    Brookes 

A.    Crompton 

W.    Lees 


J.  H.  Lester 
A.  Nicholson 
A.    Y.    Scholfield 

L.      TOUSSAINT 

T.    Veevers 


■^m 


123 


APPENDIX. 


125 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM. 
Paper   by   SAMUEL   S.   DALE   (United  States). 


Plain  words  are  best.  That  you  may  not  misunderstand  the  few 
plain  words  that  I  have  prepared,  I  desire  to  express  the  belief  that  if 
I  were  an  inhabitant  of  France  or  Germany,  as  I  am  of  America,  I 
would  advocate  the  continental  position. 

We  have  studied  not  only  our  own  standards,  but  also  those  of 
Europe,  and  I  will  try  to  make  a  brief  statement  of  the  line  of  argu- 
ment that  has  proved  conclusive  to  most  of  us.  I  shall  confine  myself 
to  textile  manufacturing,  though  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  important 
as  that  industry  is,  it  involves  but  a  part  of  this  complex  and  imper- 
fectly understood  question. 

Briefly  stated,  the  claims  for  the  metric  system  are  that  its  decimal 
divisions,  correlation  of  units  and  systematic  nomenclature,  make  it  the 
best,  if  not  a  perfect  system,  and  that  it  is  sure  to  become  eventually 
the  single  standard  of  the  world.  These  claims  are  assumed  to  be 
true,-  and  for  more  than  a  century  have  been  repeated  with  so  much 
emphasis  and  show  of  authority  as  to  convince  most  people  of  their 
soundness.  It  is  this  assumption  that  forms  the  basis  of  the  metric 
fallacy.  It  began  in  1790  when  a  party  of  eminent  scientists,  not  one 
of  whom  is  known  ever  to  have  spun  a  pound  of  yarn  or  woven  a  yard 
of  cloth,  were  selected  to  construct  a  new  system  of  weights  and 
measures  for  France  and  the  rest  of  the  world.  The  people  who  were 
to  use  the  system  had  no  voice  in  its  construction,  and  it  was  imposed 
on  them  with  the  dictum  that  it  was  perfect  and  sure  to  become 
universal.  That  century-old  assumption  has  been  echoed  in  one  of  the 
papers  read  here  to-day,  but  neither  in  that  paper  nor  in  the  volumes  of 
pro-metric  arguments  during  the  last  hundred  years  can  any  attempt 
to  support  these  assumptions  by  proof  be  found. 

Now  I  want  to  ask  you  to  rid  your  minds  of  all  predilection  in 
favour  of  the  metric  system,  and  consider  the  question  of  textile 
weights  and  measures  with  the  determination  to  accept  nothing  without 
proof,  and  to  accept  anything  with  proof ;  to  keep  the  words  of  Galileo 
in  mind :  "  In  questions  of  science  the  opinion  of  a  thousand  is  not 
worth  the  humble  reasoning  of  a  single  individual." 

In  stating  the  reasons  why  the  metric  system  should  not  be  intro- 
duced into  English-speaking  countries,  I  feel  like  the  Irishman  who 
had  forty  reasons  for  not  buying  a  pool  ticket  on  the  races.  The  first 
one  was  that  he  didn't  have  the  money.  Our  first  objection  to  the 
introduction  of  the  metric  system  is  that  its  complete  adoption  is 
impossible. 

First  let  us  form  as  clear  an  idea  as  possible  of  what  the  propo- 
sition to  change  their  textile  weights  and  measures  means  to  English- 
speaking  people.  Three-quarters  of  the  world's  cotton  crop  is  sold 
from  the  plantations  by  the  English  pound,  and  practically  all  of  it  is 
sold  in  the  markets  by  the  same  standard.  This  pound  is  the  basis  of 
our  textile  weights,  and  thus  before  we  reach  the  mill  it  will  be  neces- 


126  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

sary  to  revolutionise  the  methods  of  business  among  15,000,000  people 
in  a  cotton  belt  one-sixth  the  size  of  all  Europe.  This  revolution  will 
include  all  standards  for  the  yield  from  the  soil,  ginning,  freight  rates, 
and  values  among  the  individuals  and  corporations  connected  directly 
or  indirectly  with  the  cotton  business,  planters,  ginners,  railway  em- 
ployes, buyers,  brokers,  cotton  exchanges,  merchants,  speculators  and 
the  general  public. 

In  the  mill  it  means  a  change  in  the  ideas  of  millions  of  hard- 
working and  uneducated  people  regarding  the  length,  area  and  weight 
of  textile  materials ;  in  the  standards  by  which  many  of  the  machines 
are  constructed  and  operated ;  in  the  mill  records,  financial  and  tech- 
nical, private  and  public,  written  and  printed ;  in  all  wage  lists  based 
on  weight  or  measure. 

Leaving  the  mill,  we  find  that  this  change  extends  to  manufactured 
or  finished  materials ;  to  all  public  quotations ;  all  individual  ideas  of 
value,  of  cost  and  selling  prices  among  manufacturers,  wholesalers, 
retailers  and  consumers.  In  a  word,  the  metric  proposition  involves  a 
complete  re-arrangement  of  the  entire  industrial  and  commercial  orga- 
nisation from  the  planter  to  the  wearer  of  the  garment,  among  the 
600,000,000  people  inhabiting  the  vast  area  included  in  the  British 
Empire  and  the  United  States.  A  statement  of  the  task  stamps  it  as 
everlastingly  impossible. 

"  But,"  the  metricites  may  say,  "  the  change  is  much  easier  than  you 
think.  The  metric  system  is  perfect  and  wins  its  own  way.  See  how 
easily  we  changed  in  continental  Europe,  and  how  the  metric  system 
has  conquered  the  outside  world."  Well,  let's  see  about  this.  No 
system  of  textile  weights  and  measures  is  in  use  until  a  system  of  yarn 
numbering  is  based  on  it,  and  at  this  moment,  one  hundred  and  twelve 
years  after  Robespierre  issued  his  decree  establishing  the  metric 
system,  the  textile  weights  and  measures  of  continental  Europe  are  in 
a  state  of  indescribable  confusion  with  thirty-five  systems  of  numbering 
yarn  in  use  besides  the  English  and  the  metric.  The  metric  failure  is 
apparent  in  practically  every  French  or  German  book  on  textile  calcu- 
lations, in  every  French  or  German  textile  journal.  And  this  failure 
has  followed  a  systematic  and  long-continued  attempt  to  change  con- 
tinental weights  and  measures  by  drastic  legislation  for  more  than  a 
century. 

With  the  exception  of  the  revolt  from  the  metric  decree  of  1810, 
which  established  the  French  cotton  system  on  the  basis  of  the  half- 
kilogramme  in  1819,  the  continental  cotton  industry  has  been  conducted 
on  the  English  basis  of  yarn  numbering,  and  in  order  to  learn  the 
lessons  of  continental  experience  it  will  be  necessary  to  survey  other 
branches  of  textile  manufacturing.  The  general  confusion  in  France 
is  thus  described  by  a  French  textile  manufacturer,  Paul  Lamoitier,  of 
Roubaix : — 

"  We  are  as  much  in  the  anarchy  of  weights  and  measures  for 
the  textile  industry  as  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  for  we  have 
the  denier  of  Montpellier  and  of  Milan  for  silk,  with  the  aune  as  a 
unit  of  length.  .  .  .  After  having  established  the  metric  system,  is 
it  not  truly  ridiculous  that  more  than  110  years  later  we  should  be 
still  using  the  English  yard,  the  old  or  French  pound,  the  denier 
of  Montpellier  or  of  Milan,  the  ancient  aune,  the  many  difl'erent 
skeins,  etc.  ? " 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  127 

In  the  wool  industry  the  metric  system  of  yarn  counts  has  made 
some  progress,  doubtless  because  of  the  large  number  of  standards  in 
use  for  wool  and  the  consequently  greater  need  for  uniformity.  It  is 
easier  to  introduce  a  new  system  where  there  are  fifty  old  ones  than 
where  there  is  but  one.  In  the  former  case,  fifty  standards  make  uni- 
fication imperative ;  in  the  latter  case,  a  single  standard  makes  another 
impossible.  In  spite,  however,  of  a  century  of  drastic  law,  and  in  spite 
of  the  variety  of  old  woollen  standards  in  France  which  make  unification 
necessary,  we  find  at  this  moment  in  use  in  France  eight  old  systems 
of  numbering  wool  yarn  in  addition  to  the  metric  and  the  English.  One 
witness  of  the  condition,  M.  Desire  Chedville,  Paris  Metric  Yarn 
Congress,  1900,  says : 

"  We  hope  no  new  burdens  will  be  imposed  on  the  industry, 
but  if  we  look  the  facts  in  the  face  we  will  find  that  notwithstand- 
ing the  decree  of  1810,  and  in  spite  of  the  serious  efforts  put  forth 
by  the  industrial  societies  of  many  districts,  we  still  have  the  ancient 
units  of  weight  and  measure,  and  we  scarcely  comprehend  each 
other  when  we  talk  of  spinning  at  Rheims,  Roubaix,  Elbceuf,  Sedan 
or  Vienne,  where  the  skeins  still  measure  1420,  710,  3600  or  1500 
metres." 

Perhaps  now^here  has  the  metric  failure  been  more  complete  than 
in  the  silk  industry.  This  is  because  silk  manufacturing  was  more 
highly  developed  there  than  other  branches  of  the  textile  industry  when 
the  metric  system  was  introduced  in  1793,  and  this  fact  is  specially 
significant  to  us  now  because  of  the  extent  and  importance  of  the  cotton 
industry  of  to-day. 

The  silk  industry  was  so  firmly  established  on  the  denier-aune 
basis  that  French  legislators  shrank  from  the  task  of  changing  its 
standards.  It  was  omitted  from  the  decree  of  1810,  and  the  first 
attempt  to  bring  the  silk  standards  to  a  metric  basis  was  in  1866,  w^hen 
a  law  was  passed  providing  that  silk  should  be  numbered  by  grammes 
per  500  metres.  The  failure  of  this  law  is  thus  stated  by  two  French 
delegates  at  the  Paris  Metric  Congress  of  1900  : — 

M.  Chamonard,  Lyon,  France :  "  I  will  add  in  two  words  that 
the  length  of  the  600-metre  is  so  contrary  to  established  usage  that  it 
has  never  been  used.  The  law  providing  it  has  rested  a  dead  letter 
since  its  passage  twenty-five  years  ago." 

M.  Jules  Persoz,  Paris:  "The  size  of  silk  is  expressed  in 
different  ways  in  the  different  countries.  In  France,  a  law  of 
June  13th,  1866,  provides  that  the  number  of  silk  shall  indicate 
the  weight  in  grammes  of  a  skein  of  500  metres  long.  Although 
legal,  this  standard  has  not  been  adopted  by  the  trade." 

That  law  of  1866  is  the  law  of  France  to-day.  Its  failure  became 
apparent  at  once,  and  the  Vienna  Metric  Congress  of  1873  resolved 
that  all  yarn,  including  silk,  should  be  numbered  by  the  fixed  weight 
system  of  1000-metre  lengths  per  kilogramme.  This  accomplished 
nothing,  and  the  next  year  the  Brussels  Congress  of  1874  adopted  a 
fixed  length,  50  milligramme-units  per  500  metres.  This  was  endorsed 
by  the  Turin  Congress  of  1875,  and  the  Paris  Congress  of  1878,  but 
was  never  adopted  by  the  silk  trade.  Twenty-two  years  later,  in  1900, 
another  Metric  Congress  at  Paris  abandoned  all  previous  silk  standards 
and  adopted  the  denier  system,  which,  reduced  to  metric  equivalents, 


128  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

is  based  on  the  grammes  per  9000  metres.  The  Metric  Congress  of  1900 
thus  confessed  failure,  adopted  the  denier  basis  and  tried  to  save  its  face 
by  resolving  that  this  system,  based  on  9,  was  metric  and  decimal. 
The  absurdity  of  this  resolution  was  quickly  recognised,  and  in  less 
than  three  years,  the  Permanent  Committee  of  that  Congress  turned 
the  system  upside  down,  and  in  1902  adopted  a  fixed  weight  of  1000- 
metre  per  kilogramme  base.  Soon  after  this,  as  if  to  emphasise  the 
humour  of  the  situation,  the  Japanese  Government  solemnly  informed 
the  United  States  Department  that  Japan  has  accepted  the  gramme- 
9000-metre  standard  (old  denier)  which  had  been  adopted  by  the  Paris 
Congress  of  1900.  And  during  all  this  time  while  law-makers  and 
metric  congresses  were  demonstrating  their  lack  of  control  over  silk 
weights  and  measures,  the  silk  workers  and  the  silk  trade  continued  to 
do  business  on  the  denier-aune  basis.  This  story  of  the  failure  to 
change  the  established  silk  standards  shows  just  what  will  result  from 
any  attempt  by  law-makers  or  trade  congresses  to  change  the  840-yard 
per  pound  cotton  system  in  use  throughout  the  world. 

In  the  linen,  hemp  and  jute  industries  the  English  yard-pound 
basis  is  the  world's  standard.  In  France  that  standard  is  used  without 
interference  and  in  plain  defiance  of  the  decree  of  1810.  One  witness : — 

M.  Louis  Guerin,  Lille,  Paris  Metric  Congress,  1900 :  "  It  is 
practically  impossible  for  us  to  sell  linen  by  any  other  than  the 
English  standard.  ...  If  the  law  of  1810,  providing  for  the 
metric  standard,  is  enforced  we  shall  be  the  first  to  complain  of 
that  which  we  have  asked  for." 

In  addition  to  the  use  of  eleven  systems  of  numbering  yam  in 
France,  the  French  weaver  continues  to  use  the  French  inch  for  gauging 
the  picks  per  inch.  In  view  of  these  facts  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the 
complete  failure  of  the  metric  system  in  the  French  textile  industry. 

In  Germany  and  Austria  a  similar  condition  exists.  In  these  two 
countries  alone  there  are,  besides  the  English  and  metric  systems,  twenty 
methods  of  numbering  yarn,  while  a  medley  of  old  inches  survives  for 
gauging  the  set  of  warp  and  filling.      Two  witnesses : — 

"  Oesterreich's  Wollen- und  Leinen-Industrie,"  May  1,  1905: 
"  In  Austria  the  Vienna  inch  and  centimetre  are  used  for  measuring 
the  width  of  woven  cloths.  The  set  of  warps  in  the  loom  is  usually 
based  on  the  Vienna  inch ;  in  some  mills  in  Vorarlberg,  on  the 
French  inch.  All  this  confusion,  as  well  as  that  in  which  the 
numbering  of  yarn  is  involved,  could  be  remedied  by  the  use  of 
the  metric  system,  but  unfortunately  all  efforts  in  this  direction  by 
prominent  associations  have  been  without  result." 

Ernst  Frank,  Mistek,  Austria.  "  Die  Kalculation  von  Waren 
aus  Baumwollgam,"  September,  1904  :  "  I  have  greatly  simplified 
the  calculations  of  warp  and  filling  yarn  by  tables  of  constants,  by 
which  the  width  of  the  cloth  is  multiplied  to  give  the  weight  in 
English  pounds  or  kilogrammes  for  100  metres  of  cloth.  These  tables 
are  compiled  for  widths  by  the  Vienna  inch,  Paris  inch  or  centi- 
metre      The  English  system  of  yarn  numbering,  which  is 

used  in  the  greater  part  of  Europe,  has  been  adopted  for  this  work, 
the  French  and  metric  systems  being  given  only  for  the  purpose  of 
comparison." 

Testimony  to  the  same  effect  could  be  given  indefinitely.  We  find 
French  and  German  textile  literature,  almost  without  exception,  in- 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  12!> 

volved  in  an  indescribable  confusion  of  weights  and  measures,  and  have 
concluded  that  the  actual  condition  must  be  much  worse,  because  it  is 
the  aim  of  every  technical  writer  to  simplify  his  explanation  as  much 
as  possible. 

The  only  explanation  from  the  Continent  is  that  England  is  respon- 
sible. "If  England  would  only  change  her  system  we  on  the  Continent 
would  have  a  metric  uniformity."  But  would  they  ?  Is  the  use  of 
the  English  system  responsible  for  the  survival  of  thirty-five  continental 
systems  of  numbering  yarn  based  on  non- English  and  non-metric  units? 
Is  England  to  blame  for  the  medley  of  inches,  ells  and  other  standards 
in  every  continental  country  ? 

Now  all  this  continental  confusion  prompts  a  question  to  which  I 
invite  your  careful  attention.  If  the  Leipzig  inch  still  persists  in 
Saxony,  the  Vienna  inch  in  Austria,  the  French  inch  in  France,  and 
innumerable  other  old  standards  of  measure  and  weight  all  over  the 
Continent,  if  the  English  system  cannot  be  driven  out  of  Germany, 
how  can  the  entire  English  system,  including  yard,  inch,  pound,  ounce, 
dram,  grain,  and  yarn  counts,  be  eradicated  from  every  English-speaking 
country  where  it  is  now  the  single  standard  ? 

This  Continental  failure  is  not  surprising.  A  person  having  learned 
to  think  or  work  by  certain  standards  of  length  or  weight  will  never 
learn  to  think  and  work  as  well  by  any  other.  The  attempt  to  establish 
the  metric  system  came  in  conflict  not  only  with  the  inveterate  habits 
of  the  individual,  but  with  those  habits  immensely  strengthened  by 
being  common  to  the  whole  community.  Law  is  powerless  to  alter 
these  habits.  The  individual  will  is  impotent.  There  is  not  a  textile 
mill  owner  on  earth  who  can  change  the  standards  of  his  own  mill.  He 
can  sell  the  plant  or  tear  it  down,  discharge  his  employes  and  hire  new 
ones,  change  the  structure  of  his  fabrics,  but  he  cannot  change  the  mill 
standards  of  length,  area  and  weight  on  which  the  mill  records  are 
based  and  by  which  the  mill  operatives  think. 

Compare  the  conditions  under  which  failure  has  been  so  complete 
on  the  Continent  with  those  under  which  the  attempt  must  be  made  in 
English-speaking  countries.  Then,  a  rude  industry  of  the  household 
with  not  a  power-spindle  in  operation  at  the  start,  plain,  coarse  fabrics, 
weights  and  measures  of  little  importance,  a  diversity  of  standards 
causing  confusion,  a  small  area  and  a  stationary  population.  Now,  a 
complex  factory  system  with  75,000,000  power-spindles  in  operation, 
complicated  fabrics,  accurate  weighing  and  measuring  essential  in  every 
process,  a  practical  unification  of  standards  on  the  yard-pound  basis,  a 
vast  area  and  a  rapidly  increasing  population.  Then,  everything  was 
favourable  to  success ;  now,  everything  is  adverse. 

We  are  as  much  the  slaves  of  habit  as  the  French  or  the  Ger- 
mans ;  we  dislike  as  much  the  changing  to  new  ways  of  measuring  and 
calculating.  We  pretend  to  no  greater  ability.  We  cannot  succeed 
with  everything  adverse  to  success  when  they  have  failed  with  every- 
thing favourable.     This  is  the  conclusion  of  reason  and  common  sense. 

Although  the  abolition  of  the  English  system  is  impossible,  the 
metric  system  may  be  forced  into  English-speaking  countries,  pro- 
\  iding  the  right  law,  not  too  drastic  to  arouse  the  people,  be  enacted 
and  executed.  What  then  ?  The  chaos  of  multiple  standards.  We 
do  not  have  to  imagine  it  for  we  find  a  practical  illustration  in  the 
present  textile  practice  of  continental  Europe.     I  will  not  presume  to 

I  2 


130  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

tell  you  about  your  own  mills,  but  will  let  a  few  unimpeachable  wit- 
nesses from  the  Continent  describe  the  continental  chaos  themselves: — 

Lamoitier,  "  Traite  de  Tissage  "  :  "  We  shall  further  on  study 
the  counts  of  silk,  cotton,  linen,  etc.  We  regret  extremely  these 
anomalies  which  obstruct  business,  lead  to  regrettable  errors  and 
wantonly  complicate  all  calculations," 

Frowein,  "  Kalkulator  fiir  Artikel  der  Textilbranche,"  Barmen, 
Germany :  "  In  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  a  cotton  tape  the  reed 
is  gauged  by  the  number  of  dents  per  French  line,  the  yarn  counts 
in  both  warp  and  filling  are  English,  based  on  the  SiO-yard  stan- 
dard. The  picks  of  filling  are  given  as  so  many  per  French  inch. 
The  weight  of  the  warp  yarn  is  calculated  in  vietvic  grammes  from 
the  English  counts,  and  extended  at  a  price  in  marks  per  English 
pound.  The  length  of  the  filling  yarn  is  calculated  per  100  metres 
of  cloth  from  the  picks  per  French  inch,  and  the  width  in  French 
lines.  The  weight  of  the  filling  in  grammes  is  then  calculated  from 
the  English  yarn  count,  and  the  length  in  metres.  This  weight  in 
grammes  is  then  extended  at  a  price  in  marhs  per  English  pound.'" 

This  state  of  chaos  is  what  always  results  from  a  mixture  of  two 
systems  of  measurement.  On  the  Continent  it  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  old  and  the  English  standards  are  different  from  the  commercial 
standards  of  the  people ;  and  it  the  metric  system  should  become 
established  in  the  textile  industry  of  Great  Britain  and  America,  to  the 
extent  that  the  English  and  old  standards  are  used  on  the  Continent, 
we  should  be  thrown  into  a  similar  confusion,  only  worse,  because  there 
would  be  more  people,  more  work  involved. 

We  now  have  two  points  established,  the  impossibility  of  abolishing 
the  English  system,  and  the  chaos  that  would  result  from  a  mixture 
of  English  and  metric  standards.  There  remains  an  examination  of 
the  merits  and  demerits  of  the  two  systems.  I  shall  be  brief,  because 
the  theoretical  advantages  of  a  system  we  cannot  have  as  a  single 
standard,  and  ought  not  to  have  as  part  of  a  multiple  standard,  are  of 
no  importance,  no  matter  how  great.  The  chief  merit  of  any  system 
of  weights  and  measures  is  the  extent  to  which  it  is  used.  Outside  of 
France  the  English  cotton  yarn  system  is  universal.  The  world  has 
adopted  the  English  system  and  deprived  it  of  its  local  character.  The 
English  cotton  count  is  German,  Russian,  Spanish,  Chinese,  Japanese 
and  American.  A  proposition  to  change  it  evokes  protests  as  violent 
at  Berlin  as  at  London  or  Washington.  Three  years  ago,  when  the 
German  tariff  was  being  framed,  Kommerzienrat  Miinch-Ferber 
declared  before  a  committee  of  the  Reichstag  that  to  abandon  the 
English  system  would  be  to  throw  the  German  weaving  industry  into 
heillose  Verwivrung. 

Here  is  a  card  made  in  Germany  for  the  German  trade.  On  it 
are  fourteen  samples  of  cotton  yarn  numbered  to  indicate  the  sizes,  and 
it  bears  the  inscription  "  Die  Nummernbezeichnung  ist  die  englische." 
The  standard  of  this  card  is  the  cotton  standard  of  every  country  on 
earth  except  France,  where  a  system  based  on  five  instead  of  ten  is  now 
used,  enduring  evidence  of  the  revolt  of  the  French  people  against  the 
decimal  despotism  of  1793. 

Outside  of  France  a  number  applied  to  cotton  yarn  indicates  the 
number  of  840-yard  lengths  per  pound.      40's  is  the  same  in  Shanghai, 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  181 

Yokohama,  Bombay,  Leipzig,  Barcelona,  Milan,  Moscow,  Manila,  Fall 
River  and  Manchester.     No  confusion,  no  chance  of  error  or  fraud. 

Germany  is  not  the  only  country  in  which  the  English  system  has 
received  the  official  as  well  as  the  popular  sanction.  It  is  the  basis  of 
the  cotton  yarn  tariff  schedules  of  Austria  and  Spain,  while  the  triumph 
of  popular  usage  over  official  regulation  in  Italy  was  thus  submitted  by 
Baron  Cantoni,  at  Paris,  in  1900: — 

"We  find  ourselves  in  the  strange  position  that  all  our  com- 
merce is  based  on  the  English  system,  while  the  Government  has 
adopted  the  metric  system  for  commercial  treaties,  statistics  and 
the  customs  tariff." 

The  English  cotton  system  is  supreme  in  the  Orient.  The  textile 
schedules  of  the  Japanese  and  Chinese  tariffs  are  based  on  it,  and  we 
find  the  Chinese  textile  schedules  translated  into  German  and  published 
with  the  English  standards  for  the  guidance  of  German  manufacturers 
and  exporters. 

The  English  system  of  weights  and  measures  is  not  only  the 
world's  standard  for  cotton,  but  it  is  the  leading  standard  in  other 
industries.  This,  I  know,  is  contrary  to  the  metric  assumption,  but 
the  facts  pro\e  it.  We  often  hear  of  the  many  countries  and  the  many 
hundreds  of  millions  of  people  who  have  adopted  the  metric  system, 
but  these  statements  have  little  foundation  in  fact.  The  governments 
of  many  small  States  have  adopted  it  for  official  business,  but  this 
official  use  has  continued  for  generations  with  practically  no  effect  on 
the  customs  of  the  people.  I  cannot  now  discuss  this  point  in  detail 
without  going  outside  of  the  textile  industry,  but  will  content  myself 
with  citing  the  case  of  the  Philippines,  where  it  was  made  the  official 
sj'stem  in  1855.  To-day  it  is  nothing  more.  The  Philippine  people 
still  use  the  old  Spanish  standards.  Take  the  case  of  Manila  hemp, 
which  forms  three-fourths  of  the  Philippine  exports.  All  this  fibre  is 
bought  and  sold  in  the  Philippines  by  the  old  Spanish  picul  and  arroha. 
The  weight  is  reduced  to  kilogrammes  for  the  purpose  of  assessing  export 
duties  in  the  custom  houses,  and  then  95  per  cent,  of  it  is  carried  to 
Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  to  be  sold  and  spun  by  the  English 
yard  and  pound.  So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn,  the  Philippine 
case  is  typical  of  the  conditions  in  all  the  so-called  metric  countries 
outside  of  continental  Europe.  In  the  textile  industry  the  metric 
system  is  used  practically  not  at  all,  and  outside  of  that  industry  it  is  a 
bureaucratic  obstruction  to  business. 

Judged  by  the  highest  standard  of  excellence,  the  extent  to  which 
it  is  used,  the  English  system  stands  without  a  rival. 

The  chief  claim  for  the  metric  system  is  that  being  decimal  it 
facilitates  calculations.  Decimals  are  not  confined  to  the  metric  system. 
With  the  English  system,  decimals  can  be  used  if  wanted ;  with  the 
metric  system  they  must  be  used  whether  wanted  or  not.  The  metric 
system  of  yarn  counts  based  on  1000  metres  per  kilogramme  facilitates 
the  calculation  of  any  one  of  the  three  factors,  length,  weight  and  yarn 
count,  from  the  other  tw^o.  This  calculation  by  the  English  system  is 
more  involved  because  the  yarn  count  is  based  on  840  yards  per  pound, 
while  the  yard  is  divided  into  36  inches  and  the  pound  into  IG  ounces, 
or  7000  grains.  To  state  fairly  this  difference,  which  involves  the  chief 
if  not  the  only  advantage  of  the  metric  system  over  the  English,  it  is 
necessary  to  call  attention  to  certain  useful  relations  of  the  English 


182  INTERNATIONAL    COTTON    CONGRESS 

standards,  which  reduce  the  apparent  difference  in  this  respect.  Eight 
hundred  and  forty  is  divisible  by  every  digit  except  9.  Being  divisible 
by  7,  we  are  able  to  find  the  count  by  dividing  1000  by  the  weight  of 
120  yards,  or  100  by  the  weight  of  12  yards  in  grammes.  Multiplying 
the  English  count  by  -5  ^  gives  a  decimal  count  based  on  100  yards  per 
ounce,  which  facilitates  the  calculations  of  the  ounces  per  yard.  Di- 
viding the  threads  per  inch  in  a  woven  fabric  by  the  weight  in  grains 
of  gi^  of  a  square  yard  gives  the  English  cotton  number. 

These  relations  of  the  English  units  still  leave  an  advantage  with 
the  metric  system  for  this  class  of  calculations,  but  they  reduce  that 
advantage  to  very  small  proportions.  For  all  other  textile  calculations 
there  is  little  to  choose  between  the  English  and  metric  systems.  If 
any  one  thinks  the  metric  system  offers  an  advantage,  let  him  make  a 
series  of  calculations  by  both  systems  and  compare  the  results.  Such  a 
course  of  experiments,  and  a  careful  study  of  French  and  German  works 
on  textile  calculations,  has  convinced  me  that  outside  the  advantage 
already  mentioned,  and  which  is  a  mere  bagatelle,  there  is  little  to 
choose  between  the  English  and  metric  systems  for  textile  calculations. 

As  for  the  names  of  the  metric  units  they  are  impossible.  They 
were  condemned  by  the  men  who  invented  them,  but  were  forced  on 
the  French  people  by  the  will  of  Robespierre  and  his  associates.  No 
one  uses  them  without  change  ;  no  one  can.  They  are  abbreviated, 
altered  or  abandoned  for  others.  They  are  long,  cumbersome  and  so 
near  alike  as  to  be  easily  confounded  with  each  other. 

Exclusively  decimal  divisions  of  units  are  equally  impossible.  Suc- 
cessive halving  is  the  natural  division  of  the  yard,  pound  or  other  units 
for  many  purposes.  It  gives  us  halves,  quarters,  eighths  and  sixteenths 
of  a  yard  or  pound.  A  slight  modification  of  the  process  of  halving 
gives  us  thirds,  sixths  and  ninths.  The  human  mind  as  now  constituted 
will  never  abandon  these  easy  subdivisions  for  decimals  which  are  the 
most  diiftcult  divisions  of  all  to  make,  and  by  which  it  is  impossible  to 
express  a  third,  sixth,  seventh  or  ninth.  No  matter  what  the  basic  unit 
may  be,  decimals  fail  to  give  standards  that,  judging  by  all  human  his- 
tory, supply  a  natural  want. 

A  glaring  defect  of  the  metric  system  is  the  lack  of  a  unit  approxi- 
mating the  English  inch.  The  fact  that  the  Vienna,  French,  Leipzig, 
Berlin,  Brabant  and  English  inches  are  approximately  the  same  is  not* 
the  result  of  blind  chance.  Note  how  well  such  a  length  is  suited  to 
the  requirements  of  the  textile  industry.  For  gauging  the  set  of  textile 
fabrics  the  centimetre  is  too  short,  the  decimetre  is  too  long,  while  the 
inch  answers  this  purpose  perfectly.  The  French  customs  tariff  speci- 
fies five  centimetres  for  gauging  the  set,  while  the  French  weaver  clings 
to  the  French  inch  and  its  binary  divisions.  Let  me  summon  a  French, 
a  German  and  an  Austrian  witness  to  state  this  defect  of  the  metric 
standard : — 

Dantzer,  "  Traite  de  Tissage,"  Lille :  "  When  it  is  desired  to 
determine  the  set  with  a  fair  degree  of  accuracy  the  length  of 
several  centimetres,  five  or  six  for  example,  is  used." 

Donat,  "  Methodik  der  Bindungslehre,"  Reichenberg  :  "  The 
threads  in  warp  and  filling  are  gauged  by  the  number  per  deci- 
metre. The  use  of  the  centimetre  is  unsafe,  because  from  one- 
half  to  one  thread,  even  more  in  silk  goods,  may  be  easily 
overlooked." 


THE    METRIC    SYSTEM  183 

Frowein,  "  Kalkulator  fiir  Textilbranche  "  :  "  The  different 
widths  of  ribbon  and  tape  often  vary  by  one-quarter  line,  the 
millimetre  being  too  long  for  this  measurement.  It  is  greatly  to 
be  regretted  that  we  find  here  an  obstacle  to  its  use  for  expressing 
widths,  and  thus  bringing  it  into  use  in  commerce." 

Hermann  Domig,  "  Die  Materialbestimmungen,"  Greiz,  Ger- 
many :  "  The  set  of  a  fabric  is  usually  determined  by  the  centi- 
metre, but  this  is  unsafe.  The  shortness  of  the  centimetre  makes 
a  fraction  of  a  thread  an  important  factor.  It  is  best  to  count  the 
threads  not  only  for  one  centimetre,  but  at  least  for  five  and  when 
possible  ten.  The  number  is  then  divided  by  ten  or  five,  respec- 
tively, to  obtain  the  threads  in  one  centimetre." 

The  general  use  of  the  half-kilogramme  proves  that  the  English 
pound,  which  it  approximates,  is  a  more  convenient  unit  than  the  kilo- 
gramme. The  ounce  is  preferable  to  the  gramme  for  expressing  weight 
of  woven  goods. 

The  greater  convenience  of  the  English  units  is  not  a  reason  for 
surprise.  The  English  standards  were  selected  by  the  worker  for  his 
work ;  the  metric  standards  are  the  result  of  an  arbitrary  scheme 
devised  without  regard  to  the  textile  industry. 

If  this  comparison  is  fair,  you  are  asking  us  to  adopt  a  system  of 
weights  and  measures  that  is  inferior  to  the  English  system,  which  we 
have  and  which,  with  our  language  and  common  law,  is  one  of  our 
fundamental  institutions.  We  do  not  deny  that  the  English  system  is 
imperfect,  but  it  is  the  better  of  the  two.  Your  metric  proposition 
reminds  me  of  a  non-partisan  reformer  in  my  country  who  once  went 
to  a  party  boss  and  asked  that  appointments  to  public  office  be  made 
irrespective  of  party  service,  adding  that  both  parties.  Republicans  and 
Democrats,  were  a  pack  of  rascals.  "  Yes,"  replied  the  boss,  "  that 
may  be,  but  these  are  our  rascals."  And  so  the  plain  American  people 
will  answer  to  this  metric  proposition.  Our  English  weights  and 
measures  may  be  imperfect,  but  they  are  ours. 

This,  my  friends,  is  the  line  of  reasoning  that  has  led  us  to  three 
conclusions  :  the  impossibility  of  abolishing  the  English  system,  the 
chaos  that  would  be  caused  by  introducing  the  metric,  and  the  superior- 
ity of  the  English.  In  a  word,  the  metric  system  is  both  impossible 
and  undesirable. 

Like  conclusions  in  other  branches  of  industry  are  reflected  in 
votes  of  many  technical  and  industrial  associations  of  the  United 
States,  among  which  may  be  mentioned :  The  National  Association  of 
Manufacturers,  American  Society  of  Mechanical  Engineers,  American 
Iron  and  Steel  Association,  National  Association  of  Carriage  Builders, 
National  Association  of  Heating  Engineers  and  Contractors,  Engine 
Builders'  Association  of  the  United  States,  National  Association  of 
Builders,  National  Brick  Manufacturers'  Association,  National  Asso- 
ciation of  Machine  Tool  Builders,  Furniture  Association  of  America, 
National  Metal  Trades'  Association,  Association  of  Railway  Master 
Mechanics,  Master  Car  Builders'  Association,  American  Society  of 
Heating  and  Ventilating  Engineers,  Providence  Society  of  Mechanical 
Engineers,  and  Society  of  Naval  Architects  and  Marine  Engineers. 

Not  the  least  in  the  list  of  those  who  have  bowed  to  the  logic  of 
the  anti-metric  facts  is  the  Committee  on  Coinage,  Weights  and  Mea- 


134  INTERNATIONAL     COTTON    CONGRESS 

sures  of  our  House  of  Representatives.  Three  years  ago  that  Com- 
mittee reported  a  compulsory  metric  Bill  favourably  to  the  House  by  a 
vote  of  16  to  2.  Three  months  ago  all  but  one  of  the  same  Committee 
were  opposed  to  almost  identically  the  same  compulsory  measure. 

If  we  are  right,  it  does  not  follow  that  the  efforts  to  unify  the 
world's  weights  and  measures  must  be  abandoned.  The  use  of  weights 
and  measures  is  extended  by  the  industrial  energy,  skill  and  commercial 
ability  of  those  who  use  them.  The  skill  and  artistic  talent  of  the  silk- 
workers  of  Lyons  have  made  the  French  denier-aune  the  silk  standard 
of  the  world,  and  established  the  French  line  wherever  ribbons  are  sold. 
The  pre-eminence  of  Great  Britain  on  the  sea  has  made  the  British 
ton  the  standard  for  shipping  wherever  vessels  float.  The  use  of  the 
English  cotton  yarn  system  by  the  spinners  of  every  land  is  a  result  of 
the  industry  and  shrewdness  of  men  and  women  who  have  lived  within 
sixty  miles  of  this  hall. 

Peter  the  Great,  working  in  aji  English  shipyard  two  hundred 
years  ago,  was  impressed  with  the  skill  of  English  ship  builders  and 
took  back  with  him  to  Russia  half-a-dozen  carpenters  to  teach  their 
trade  to  his  people.  As  a  result  of  that  apparently  trifling  incident, 
the  English  inch  is  to-day  either  equal  to  or  commensurable  with  all 
the  linear  standards  of  the  Russian  Empire. 

These  are  examples  of  the  natural  forces  of  individual  and  collec- 
tive habit  by  which  weights  and  measures  are  established  and  extended. 

If  the  weights  and  measures  of  mankind  are  ever  brought  to  one 
common  standard,  it  will  be  by  such  a  process  of  evolution,  and  yet  for 
more  than  a  century  the  attempt  has  been  made  to  unify  weights  and 
measures  on  a  metric  basis  by  opposing  natural  laws.  Let  us  learn  a 
lesson  from  that  century  of  failure,  and  cut  away  from  the  old  fallacy 
that  the  unification  of  weights  and  measures  means  necessarily  the 
adoption  of  the  metric  system.  Let  us  study  the  natural  laws  by  which 
these  standards  are  established  and  maintained.  In  this  way  only  can 
we  learn  how  individual  and  official  efforts  should  be  directed  to  hasten 
the  day  when  "  there  shall  be  but  one  measure  throughout  all  the  earth." 


^^(^)^^5r 


186 


STATUTES. 


Object. 


1 — The  purpose  of  this  International  Federation  shall  be  to 
watch  over  and  protect  the  common  interests  of  the  Industry,  and 
to  advise  Associations  of  the  action  to  be  taken  against  any  common 
danger. 

2 — The  means  to  be  employed  are : — 

(1)  The  holding  of  Congresses  of  Delegates  from  the  Associa- 
tions in  all  countries  becoming  affiliated  with  the  Inter- 
national Federation. 

(2)  The  Appointment  of  a  Committee  of  Management,  who 
shall  :— 

(a)  Control  the  work  and  expend  the  monies  of  the  Federa- 
tion under  the  instruction  of  the  Congress. 

(b)  Distribute  information  of  practical  value  in  carrying 
on  and  improving  the  conditions  of  the  Cotton  Trade. 

(c)  Assist  in  the  formation,  strengthening  and  assimilating 
of  Associations  in  all  Spinning  and  Manufacturing 
Centres  of  the  Cotton  Industry. 

(d)  Call  together  the  Delegates  to  special  Congresses  when 
the  need  shall  arise. 

(e)  Consult  the  Associations  by  correspondence,  and  dis- 
tribute and  collect  voting  papers  from  the  Associations 
on  any  international  movement  in  connection  with  the 
trade. 

(f)  Take  any  other  action  in  the  common  interest  of  the 
Trade  that  may  be  decided  upon  by  the  Congress. 


186  STATUTES 

Membership. 

3 — All  Associations  of  Cotton  Spinners  and  Manufacturers  are 
eligible  for  affiliation  with  the  International  Federation,  subject  to 
their  acceptance  by  Committee  and  Congress. 

Financial. 

4 — A  Levy  shall  be  paid  by  each  Association  according  to  its 
number  of  Spindles  and  Looms. 

5 — Spindles  shall  include  Mule,  Ring,  Throstle  and  Doubling. 
Two  Doubling  Spindles  to  be  equal  to  one  Mule  Spindle. 

6 — Each  Association  joining  the  Federation  shall  pay  an  Entrance 
Fee  of  Y^jy  of  a  penny  per  Spindle,  and  one  farthing  per  Loom  (one 
Loom  to  be  equal  to  25  Spindles).  This  Entrance  Fee  shall  include 
the  current  year's  levy. 

7 — For  the  year  1905,  and  each  succeeding  year  until  otherwise 
determined  a  Levy  shall  be  made  of  2-50  ^^  ^  penny  per  spindle  and 
one-eighth  of  a  penny  per  loom.  Associations  are  liable  for  the 
coming  year's  levy  unless  they  have  handed  in  their  resignation  at 
least  three  months  before  the  end  of  the  current  year.  Resignation 
forfeits  all  right  to  any  accumulated  funds. 

8 — All  Levies  shall,  after  the  year  1904,  be  due  for  payment 
before  the  end  of  September. 

9 — In  case  any  Association  shall  fail  to  pay  its  Levy,  or  send 
Delegates  to  the  Congress,  the  name  of  such  Association  shall  be 
placed  before  the  Congress  to  take  what  steps  it  may  think  fit. 

Offices. 

10 — The  Offices  of  the  Federation  shall  be  in  Manchester.  Any 
change  in  the  headquarters  must  be  by  decision  of  the  Annual  Con- 
gress. 


Bye- Laws  for  Committee. 


11 — The  Committee  of  Management  shall  consist  of  one  Dele- 
gate from  each  country  affiliated  to  the  International  Federation, 
and  the  Committee,  from  its  own  members,  shall  appoint  a  Chairman, 
Vice-Chairman  and  two  Honorary  Treasurers  of  the  Federation.  Each 
country  shall  appoint  its  own  Delegate.  The  country  which  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Management  represents  shall  be  en- 
titled to  another  representative  on  the  Committee. 


STATUTES  137 

12 — For  the  Committee  of  Management,  five  shall  form  a  quorum. 

18 — Each  country  shall  have  the  right  to  appoint  a  substitute  to 
attend  the  meetings  of  the  Committee  in  the  event  of  its  representative 
being  unable  to  attend.  This  substitute,  in  order  to  become  conversant 
with  the  work  of  the  Committee,  may  accompany  the  duly  appointed 
representative  to  any  meetings  of  Committee,  if  the  Associations  in  his 
country  so  desire,  but  in  the  latter  case  his  expenses  will  not  be  paid 
by  the  International  Federation,  nor  has  he  power  to  vote,  and  it  is 
not  expected  that  he  will  take  part  in  discussions  at  the  meetings. 

14 — The  Committee  shall  appoint  its  Secretary,  or  Secretaries, 
and  other  Assistants,  Bankers,  Auditors  and  Solicitors ;  and  such  ap- 
pointments shall  be  confirmed  annually  or  otherwise. 

15 — The  Committee  shall  have  power  to  appoint,  from  its  own 
body,  any  of  its  members  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  information, 
or  undertaking  preparatory  work,  in  connection  with  any  of  the  ob- 
jects of  the  Federation.  Such  information  or  preparatory  work  to  be 
reported  upon  periodically  to  the  Committee  through  its  Secretary. 

16 — Should  a  position  as  Officer  or  Member  of  the  Committee 
become  vacant  by  death  or  resignation,  the  Committee  shall  have 
power  to  fill  such  position,  if  an  Ofiicer,  from  its  own  body ;  if  a 
Member  of  the  Committee,  from  the  Delegates  from  the  country  repre- 
sented. 

17 — The  Committee  shall  meet  when  it  is  desirable,  but  where 
possible  the  consultation  shall  be  done  by  correspondence.  When 
possible,  at  least  four  weeks'  notice  shall  be  given  of  any  meeting  of 
the  Committee  of  Management. 

18 — On  the  request  of  one-fourth  of  the  Members  of  the  Com- 
mittee (which  always  includes  the  Officers),  the  Chairman  shall  call  a 
meeting. 

Expenses  of  Members  of  Committee. 

39 — The  Members  of  the  Committee  of  Management,  when  at- 
tending meetings  of  the  Committee,  shall  be  allowed  first-class  fares 
and  40  francs  per  day  for  out-of-pocket  expenses. 

Bank    Account. 

20 — The  Bank  Account  shall  be  in  the  names  of  the  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  and  the  Secretary  at  headquarters,  and  all  cheques 
shall  be  signed  by  the  Chairman,  or  one  of  the  Honorary  Treasurers, 
and  countersigned  by  one  of  the  Secretaries. 


138  STATUTES 

21 — The  Bank  Account  shall  not  be  overdrawn,  and  no  expen- 
diture or  liability  shall  be  incurred  for  which  there  are  no  funds  in  the 
Bank. 

Close  of  Financial  Year. 

22 — The  financial  year  shall  end  31st  December. 

Dissolution. 

23 — In  case  of  dissolution  the  funds  in  hand  shall  be  divided  on 
the  basis  of  the  contributions  made  by  the  affiliated  Associations. 


Regulations  for  Congress. 


24 — The  Annual  Congress  shall  be  in  a  different  country 
each  year. 

25 — When  possible,  at  least  four  weeks'  notice  shall  be  given  of 
any  meeting  of  Congress. 

26 — The  Associations  in  each  country  shall  appoint  Delegates  to 
attend  the  Congresses.  No  restriction  shall  be  placed  on  the  number 
of  Delegates  any  Association  may  send,  but  the  voting  power  shall  be 
as  follows : — 

One  vote  for  each  Million  Spindles  or  part  thereof. 

One  Vote  for  each  40,000  Looms  or  part  thereof,  but  not  more 
than  Twenty  Votes  to  be  given  by  any  one  country. 
Voting  shall  be  by  the  showing  of  hands,   but  shall  be  by  ballot  if 
desired  by  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  those  present  empowered  to  vote. 

27 — Each  Association  shall,  before  the  end  of  March,  appoint  its 
Delegates  for  the  following  Congress,  and  shall  at  once  intimate  to 
the  Secretary  the  names,  postal  addresses,  and  cable  addresses  of 
such  Delegates. 

28 — Fourteen  days'  notice  shall,  if  possible,  be  given  to  the  Secre- 
tary at  headquarters  of  any  change  in  the  appointment  of  Delegates. 

29 — The  expenses  of  Delegates  shall  be  paid  by  the  Association 
they  represent,  or  by  the  Delegates  themselves. 

30 — If  a  Delegate  be  unable  to  be  present,  he  may  be  replaced  by 
another  representative  of  his  Association.  This  representative,  however, 
must  present  satisfactory  credentials  to  the  Committee. 

31 — Any  Association  wishing  to  bring  a  subject  before  the  Annual 
Congress,  or  propose  the  alteration  of  a  Rule,  shall  forward  its  resolu- 
tion to  the  Secretary  at  headquarters  before  the  end  of  March. 


STATUTES  139 

32 — The  member  of  the  Committee  of  Management  representing 
the  country  in  which  the  Congress  assembles  shall  preside  over  such 
Congress.  The  names  of  the  Delegates  shall  be  called  over;  after 
which  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Management  shall  present  a 
report  to  be  followed  by  the  reading  of  the  Financial  Statement. 

33 — The  remaining  proceedings  shall  be  arranged  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  Management,  but  shall  be  subject  to  alteration  should  the 
Congress  desire. 

34 — Permission  may  be  granted  for  the  discussion  of  matters 
which  do  not  comply  with  Rule  31,  but  no  vote  can  be  taken. 

85 — In  order  to  expedite  the  discussions  of  the  Congress,  the 
introducer  of  any  subject  shall  be  allowed  one  hour.  Subsequent 
speakers  shall  be  allowed  fifteen  minutes,  which  the  Chairman  may  at 
his  discretion  extend  to  thirty  minutes. 

86 — Delegates  may  speak  in  English,  French  or  German,  but  it 
is  desirable  that  they  use  the  English  language  in  order  to  obviate,  as 
far  as  possible,  the  necessity  of  translation. 

37 — No  resolution  in  any  Congress  shall  be  voted  upon  except 
75  per  cent,  of  the  Delegates  empowered  to  vote  are  present,  and  no 
resolution  shall  be  carried  except  by  a  majority  of  75  per  cent,  of  those 
voting. 

38 — No  resolution  shall  be  voted  upon  at  the  sitting  in  which  it 
has  been  introduced  (unless  a  75  per  cent,  majority  be  in  favour  of 
such  vote  being  taken),  except  for  the  appointment  of  Officers  of  the 
Congress  and  the  fixing  of  the  next  place  of  the  Congress. 

39 — The  place  of  meeting  for  the  next  Congress  shall  be  decided 
upon  at  the  last  meeting  of  a  Congress. 

*  Official  Reporters. 

40 — Official  Reporters  shall  be  appointed  to  take  a  verbatim 
report  of  all  proceedings,  and  submit  a  general  report  of  the  day's 
proceedings  for  the  Committee's  approval  before  giving  it  to  the  Press. 

Visitors. 

41 — No  strangers  shall  be  allowed  to  attend  the  sittings  of  Con- 
gress, except  they  have  a  special  written  permit  from  the  Committee. 

Voting  by  Correspondence. 

42 — Voting  by  correspondence  with  the  Associations  shall  be  by 
Spindles  (one  Loom  equalling  25  Spindles,  and  two  Doubling  Spindles 


140  STATUTES 

to  be  equal  to  one  Mule  Spindle).  The  ratio  of  voting  power  shall  be 
as  per  Rule  26. 

Alteration  of   Rules. 

43 — These  Rules  may  be  added  to,  varied,  or  rescinded  at  any 
annual  Congress,  but  notice  of  any  proposed  alteration  shall  be  sent  by 
the  Secretary  with  the  notice  convening  the  Annual  Congress. 

Local  Committees. 

44 — Local  Committees  may  be  formed  in  each  country  for  the 
purpose  of  discussing  questions  of  International  interest.  The  meeting 
forming  such  Local  Committee  shall  be  convened  by  the  various 
representatives  on  the  Committee  of  Management. 


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